1.8 lakh FIRs & Rs 707 crore penalties for power thefts in 5 years in Haryana

GURUGRAM: The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has imposed fines amounting to a total of Rs 706.8 crore for electricity theft in the last five years. Out of this, consumers caught stealing power have deposited Rs 378.3 crore. In the same period, around 1.8 lakh FIRs were registered against consumers for the offence.
Over 24% of the penalties were imposed in Gurugram (Rs 172.5 crore), out of which Rs 87.8 crore was recovered. DHBVN managing director PC Meena said the discom has managed to reduce technical and distribution (T&D) losses significantly with technological interventions and theft detection. “DHBVN is adopting a multi-pronged approach to curb T&D losses, which includes technical augmentation of the existing distribution network, increasing the high-tension to low-tension wire ratio to reduce technical losses, discouraging theft by increasing high-tension lines and an intensive and targeted theft detection programme focused on feeders reporting high losses,” he added.
In the current fiscal 2022-23, the discom has imposed fines of Rs 51.2 crore for electricity theft till August and collected Rs 31.2 crore. In 2021-22, electricity theft worth Rs 156.7 crore was detected and fines amounting to Rs 78.7 crore collected.
This year, electricity meters of 1,81,078 consumers were checked by the discom, which found 45,470 were stealing electricity. A total of 42,501 FIRs have been lodged for theft so far.
In 2020-21, electricity theft worth Rs 163.7 crore was caught and fines of Rs 85.8 crore collected. In the same year, the meters of 1,46,645 consumers were checked, out of which 48,791 were found to be stealing power. As many as 43,716 FIRs were lodged.
In 2019-20, the discom imposed fines amounting to Rs 82.3 crore and collected Rs 54 crore. Meters of 99,458 consumers were checked and 20,267 FIRs were filed for power theft.
In 2018-19, electricity theft worth Rs 86.2 crore was reported, and the discom collected Rs 45.1 crore in fines. The meters of 72,690 consumers were checked and 15,498 FIRs were lodged for power theft.
In 2017-18, the discom imposed fines amounting to Rs 166.74 crore and collected Rs 86.4 crore. Meters of 1,18,900 consumers were checked and 40,412 FIRs were filed for power theft.
“Legal action is being taken against consumers who have not deposited outstanding fines for power theft. Theft of electricity is a legal offense and there are provisions of fines and punishment for theft of electricity. DHBVN has launched a portal and gives a reward to informers,” said Meena.
Citizens can call the toll-free number 18001801011 to report electricity theft cases, he added.
Information about theft of electricity can also be sent to 7027008325 via WhatsApp.
To report such cases, citizens can also mail hookacrook4dhbvn@dhbvn.org.in and theftinformer@dhbvn.org.in. “The informer’s identity will be kept secret by the discom. From time to time, joint checking teams of the discom will conduct a campaign to prevent theft of electricity,” said Meena.