The Hindu Business Line : Maharashtra pares distribution losses

Mumbai, Aug. 19 In Maharashtra, the number of detected cases of power thefts and FIR lodged has gone up significantly since the new amendments to the Electricity Act of 2003 has come into force from June 15.

Last year, 20,000 cases of power theft were detected and 600 FIR were lodged. This year since June, 36,384 thefts have been detected and 3,561 FIR lodged.

Anti-theft drive

Dr Ajay Pandey, Managing Director of Managing Director, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), said that due new amendment, power theft and tampering of electricity meters have become a cognisable and non-bailable offence. It has given more teeth to the law.

Dr Pandey said that the distribution losses in the State are 29.98 per cent, down from 32 per cent last year.

The target is to reduce it by another 4 per cent by March 2008. Even if the losses are reduced by 3 per cent, it could save Rs 500 crore.

A sustained drive will continue against power theft. It will be more focussed on Aurangabad, Kalwa and Mumbra zones.

The company has also devised innovative ways to catch power theft, he said.

“We have formed large squads of 50, which consist of our personnel and police to conduct raids. The raid is also filmed toprevent corruption and to counter the allegations.

Large raid parties are more effective in areas where power theft is widespread. Earlier we used to depend on lone sub-engineer to tackle the problem. Now mass theft is countered by mass raiding parties.”

High-voltage lines

Dr Pandey said MSEDCL has also approached the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission with a proposal to set up High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines.

Illegal user cannot tap power from these lines using conventional hook and wires. HVDC needs sub-station to convert power to AC mode, which then can be used for regular use, he said.

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