Thefts put PSEB in financial crunch

Parvesh Sharma | TNN

Patiala: SAD-BJP ruling alliance alone need not be blamed for the severe financial crisis the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) is facing, the increasing number of power thefts is also proving heavy on the board. The enforcement wing of department has registered a growth of 202% in recovery penalty from power thieves of state.
During the year from January 1,2007 - November 30, 2007, board had checked 1,66,748 power connections in state out of which 48,984 connection holders were found stealing power in various ways like ‘kundi connection’ or by drawing more power than their permitted load, sources say. PSEB authorities imposed a penalty of Rs 58.s35 crore and after much efforts it was able to recover Rs 8.11 crore.
In the same period during this year, it checked 2,12,836 connections which is 27.64% more than last year. Out of these 53,804 connections were found to be using stolen power and a penalty of Rs 86.86 crore has been imposed on the defaulters. Out of which, Rs 24.53 crore has already been recovered which is 202.22% more than last year’s recovery.
“Curtailing power theft is more important than energy conservation as the person stealing power usually misuses it. We have given directions to enforcement wing to take firm action,” said YS Ratra IAS (retd), chairman, PSEB.
Despite strict instructions, senior PSEB officers posted in enforcement wing alleged that political interference creates trouble for them despite their best efforts. “We always try our best to curtail power theft but many times politicians come in defence of defaulters just to secure their vote bank,” an officer remarked.