KOCHI: In a special drive conducted from November 10 to 12 against various electricity thefts and anomalies, the Anti-Power Theft Squad of the KSEB collected Rs 1.57 crore from Ernakulam district alone. The squad collected Rs 8.61 crore from the theft and anomalies detected from August to November 5, 2014, across the state this year.
ADGP Rishi Raj Singh who is serving as the Chief Vigilance Officer of the KSEB said power theft and other kinds of anomalies are increasing in the state. He said that squads comprising four officials each have been dedicated for the inspection activities in every district.
“In the special drive conducted in Ernakulam district, Rs 1,57,62,550 was collected as fine. Around 13 squads in which 80 officials were included conducted checking at different parts of the district. As many as 667 inspections were conducted from which 31 power theft cases and 84 anomalies were detected. Since Ernakulam district consumes one fifth of the entire electricity consumption in the state, the drive started here first. The drive would be extended to other districts,” he said.
As far as the entire state is concerned, 6,255 inspections were conducted in which 235 theft and 665 anomalies were detected and Rs 8.61 crore was collected as fine from August to November 5, this year.
“The most common type of electricity theft detected was related to misuse of tariff. Some take electricity connection for agricultural purpose and divert it for domestic use. Some divert domestic connection for commercial purpose. Tampering with the meter is also common here.
“Similarly some people do unauthorised extension like taking a connection for one house and extending it to other. The other common theft is unauthorised additional load in which electricity in high load is used at the residence.
“Several government establishments also practise irregularities and all the squads have been directed to conduct checking even at government offices and institutions,” he said.
Rishi Raj Singh said that, compared to other states, the illegal diversion of electricity is less here. “In Kerala only 10 per cent of generated electricity is diverted. In other states, average electricity diversion is more than 20 per cent. Interestingly, most of the electricity diversion is done by the rich persons here. Many diversions are made by commercial establishments who consume large quantities of electricity,” he said.
The Kottayam unit of the Anti-Theft squad which detected power theft of Rs 40 lakh would be given reward by the KSEB Vigilance wing. The Kollam unit with Rs 25 lakh and Kannur unit with Rs 12 lakh came second and third.
On Wednesday, the Anti Power Theft squad detected electricity theft from a commercial establishment in Perumbavoor. The owners of the establishment has been asked to pay Rs 36.5 as fine.
“Once electricity thefts and anomalies are detected, we disconnect the supply. The supply will be restored only after paying the fine,” he said.
Reward for informers: Rishi raj
Rishi Raj Singh, Chief Vigilance Officer of KSEB announced a reward for the person giving information about power theft to the Anti-Power Theft squad. He said that any person giving tip-off would be given Rs 50,000 as reward or five per cent of fine amount would be given as reward. The names of the person who give information would be kept confidential. The information can be passed on to the squad over phones 0471-2444554 or 9446008006. People can also pass the information using whatsapp mobile application.