New Act makes power theft cognisable offence

The Lok Sabha put its seal on the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2005 after a long debate on Monday. The bill seeks to make power theft a cognisable offence.

The Act, adopted through a voice vote, provides for the establishment of special courts all over the country to prosecute people charged with power theft. It would also eliminate cross-subsidies in power sector

While replying to the discussion, Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the Government aimed to provide electricity to all villages by 2009. The new legislation, he said, would help bring down transmission and distribution losses through a check on pilferage.