A steep rise in incidents of electricity theft in Mumbai has led Reliance Energy to step up its action on illegal connections.
Reliance Energy officials said that while the company filed 56 cases of electricity theft with the Mumbai Police in the financial year 2015-16, the number has gone up to 120 in 2016-17. The firm conducted 4,100 this financial year as opposed to the 2,486 in 2015-16, (65% increase). Officials said that the company is facing losses up to 9% due to the menace.
“Areas like Shivaji Nagar, Cheetah Camp, Mankhurd and Gilbert Hill are the ones where theft of power is the most rampant. We are spreading the message amongst illegal distributors and consumers that pilfering electricity is a crime and they will face serious legal consequences,” a Reliance Energy spokesperson said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VI) Shahaji Umap confirmed that there were numerous complaints of electricity theft in areas like Shivaji Nagar and Mankhurd.
“We will provide whatever assistance we can in terms of manpower, and are invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) wherever applicable to deter the menace,” said Mr Umap. Zone VI covers the Chembur–Mankhurd–Govandi belt in eastern Mumbai.
