An Anti-Power Theft Squad (APTS) functioning under the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has detected 35 cases of power theft and 80 irregularities during a special drive carried out in the district.
The four-day special drive, which concluded on Tuesday, was led by KSEB Chief Vigilance Officer and Additional Director General of Police Rishi Raj Singh with three regional units in the State. A sum of Rs.64 lakh was realised through fines following the searches conducted at 813 places.
Eighty officials in 13 squads, each led by an assistant executive engineer, took part in the drive, Mr. Singh told presspersons at the Vydyuthi Bhavan here.
Most of the power thefts pertained to illegally and dangerously tapping a main line. There were cases of hooking directly to service lines and underground cables. About 25 per cent of the cases related to tampering with the meters provided by the department.
Injecting foreign objects and obstructing functioning of meters using magnets were also detected. Many industrial houses employed experts to tamper with electronic meters, he said.
Unauthorised extension and unauthorised additional load also came under the definition of power theft. Several consumers, knowingly or unknowingly, indulge in these activities.
Tariff misuse was also detected where a consumer applied power connection for agricultural purpose and utilised the same for domestic, commercial, and industrial needs.
The electricity tariff for agriculture was Rs.2 per unit whereas it was Rs.4 for domestic; Rs.8 for commercial; and Rs.10 and above for industrial use, Mr. Singh said.
The KSEB had to recover about Rs.1,000 crore from various government departments in the State.
The biggest defaulter was the Kerala Water Authority that had to pay a whopping Rs.600 crore. Hopefully, the issue would be sorted out by the Ministers looking after these departments, he said.
The special drive was first carried out in Ernakulam district where power theft was the highest in the State. All districts would be covered hereafter, he said.
Mr. Singh said that those caught for power thefts would be penalised and non-bailable offences would be charged under the Electricity Act, 2003.
The public could contact the Chief Vigilance Officer (ph: 9446008006); Executive Engineer-APTS North Kerala (ph: 9446008166); Assistant Executive Engineer-APTS Kozhikode unit (ph: 9446008168), and Assistant Executive Engineer-APTS Malappuram unit (ph: 9446008486).
