The Puducherry Electricity Department has launched a special drive in rural areas to enable low-income families to opt for regular service connections. This is part of an effort to check revenue leaks.
Camps have been organised by the rural (south) operation and maintenance division of the department covering Kirumambakkam, Bahour, Karikalambakkam, Vadamangalam, Thavalakuppam, Ariyankuppam, Embalam and Nettapakkam from December 1 to 27.
According to a senior official in the department, “A section of consumers in rural areas has been drawing power illegally from distribution lines without applying for connection. This resulted in overloading of the distribution system.”
Nearly 40 households in every village had unauthorised power connections. Although the department staff disconnected power supply, the illegal connections were restored after a few days. Most of those drawing these lines were domestic consumers from low-income groups.
The department had been encouraging the consumers to opt for regular connections by sensitising them on the revenue loss and how the department had been purchasing power from the Neyveli Lignite Corporaton.
Special camps
The special camps will facilitate consumers from low-income families to get regular connections within 24 hours. The consumers had to fill the forms and pay the necessary charges.
The applications would be processed on the spot and new meters issued.
The power connection would be given next day itself.
The department would continue to hold such special camps in other areas, he added.
