-SATISH HANDA

 According to Ranjit Chautala minister for electricity department in Haryana state, 232416 FIRs were registered against those involved in power thefts in Haryana state in past 2434 days an average 95 power theft cases registered in a day causing heavy electricity line losses in the state. Chautala recently on a secret information conducted surprise raid at Panipat Thermal Station Plant residential colony during late night in which large number of senior officers including of ranks of Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers were caught in power thefts. He ordered stern action against all those officers involved in power thefts imposing heavy fines on them. Meanwhile, Chairman Power Commission (HERC) D.S. Dhesi too ordered special focus on power thefts in the state causing not only heavy line losses but also revenue loss to the government.

 According to information, nearly 14% drop in electricity line loss has been recorded in the state with constant drop in line losses in past few year recorded 29.98% in 2014-15, 30.02% in 2015-16, 25.43% in 2016-17, 20.29%in 2017-18, 17.45% in 2018-19 and 15% during current year 2019-20. While having a look at the cases registered against those involved in power thefts in the state under section 135 of Electricity Act 2003 it was observed that 16490 power theft FIRs were registered in the year 2013, during the year 2014 department lodged 9239 power theft FIRs in the year 2015, the number of FIRs increased to 16095, in the year 2016 the number of power theft FIRs further increased to 22633, in the year 2017 the number of FIRs was recorded drastic increase to 95407, in the year 2018 the number of power theft FIRs registered was 55225 and  the number of FIRs dropped to 17327 in the year 2019.