PSPCL Cracks Down on Power Theft, Detects 2,075 Cases and Imposes Rs 4.64 Crore Penalty

Chandigarh: In line with the zero-tolerance policy of the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann against power theft, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) conducted a special checking drive on Saturday in five zones - Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Patiala.

According to a press communique issued on Sunday, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said the drive was carried out jointly by the Distribution and Enforcement wing of PSPCL. A total of 28,487 power connections were checked, resulting in the detection of 2,075 cases of power theft and the imposition of a penalty of Rs 4.64 crore on erring consumers.

Zone-wise details revealed:

- Amritsar Zone: 438 cases detected, penalty of Rs 1.10 crore imposed

- Bathinda Zone: 527 cases detected, penalty of Rs 1.41 crore imposed

- Ludhiana Zone: 323 cases detected, penalty of Rs 90 lakh imposed

- Jalandhar Zone: 340 cases detected, penalty of Rs 50 lakh imposed

- Patiala Zone: 447 cases detected, penalty of Rs 74 lakh imposed

The Minister stated that besides imposing penalties, FIRs have been registered, and legal action has been initiated against erring consumers. He emphasized that the ongoing drive against power thefts would minimize the number of cases to the maximum level.

He appealed to power consumers not to indulge in such malpractices and encouraged them to adopt energy-saving habits. The Minister stressed that every unit saved counts and is crucial for ensuring a stable energy supply, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigating the impact of climate change.