Cracking a whip on power pilferers, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has imposed a fine of over `100 crore so far this fiscal. The PSPCL faces a loss of `1,000 crore every year due to power theft, particularly in the politically dominated areas of Malwa and Majha regions. In a drive against power theft, 8 per cent of total connections randomly checked by the PSPCL were found indulging in power theft.Most of the cases have been detected in the border areas of Tarn Taran and Amritsar districts, besides Bathinda, Muktsar and Patiala in the Malwa area. Following chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s directions, the PSPCL launched a drive against the power theft. The corporation checked a record 8,61,173 connection since April 1 this year and detected 74,771 power theft cases. A total of `100.6 crore fine has been imposed in five-and-a-half month.

“Mostly, domestic consumers indulge in power theft. Patti and Khemkaran are two such subdivisions where over 60% power is lost to theft. Similarly, Patran in Patiala, some subdivisions in Muktsar, including Lambi, are on list where power theft is most prevalent. And people, especially farmer unions, don’t allow PSPCL officials to undertake checking. But after the CM’s direction, police are helping us. Most of the households steal power through ‘kundi connections, and it has become a trend in some areas,” said an official of the PSPCL enforcement wing.

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