MSEDCL detects power theft, illegal consumption to the tune of Rs 1.59 crore

MSEDCL has launched an anti-power theft campaign in Western Maharashtra.

Direct meter tampering to steal power worth Rs 96.58 lakh was detected at 869 places, an official readout issued Tuesday said.(File/Representational)

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited has detected power theft and illegal consumption of electricity to the tune of Rs 1.59 crore at 1,276 places across the state on January 6.

MSEDCL has launched an anti-power theft campaign in Western Maharashtra. Direct meter tampering to steal power worth Rs 96.58 lakh was detected at 869 places, an official readout issued Tuesday said.

Ankush Nale, Pune Regional Director (that includes Pune, Solapur, Satara, Kolhapur, and Sangli Districts) said that the campaign started at 9 am on January 6 in all the districts and till late in the evening, electricity connections in categories such as domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural were inspected.

Unauthorized consumption of electricity was detected across each district. In Pune district, power theft to the tune of 1.21 crore was detected at 653 places, in Satara power theft to the tune of Rs 12.34 lakh was at 151 places, Solapur – 170 places (power theft worth Rs 8.29 lakh), Kolhapur- 134 places (power theft to the tune of Rs 7.3 lakh) and Sangli district at 168 places where theft to the tune of Rs 9.61 lakh was detected.

An official spokesperson with MSEDCL said that fines and new electricity bills have been issued to the errant lot.

Stern action under Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act that includes fines and imprisonment upto three years will be taken if bills are not paid immediately, MEDCL officials said.

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