NEW DELHI: Indicating its seriousness to push forward reforms in the power sector and bring down the high incidence of theft, the Delhi Government is gearing up to introduce an anti-theft legislation during the monsoon session of the State Assembly beginning on September 22.

This would help the private distribution companies come down with a heavy hand on those indulging in theft of power.

"We have already set in motion the process for framing such a legislation that has been held up for some time. The departments concerned have been asked to be prepared to table the bill during the monsoon session. As a lot of formalities are involved, clearances have been taken at various levels. We are running against time in this endeavour,'' informed Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

`Reforms important'

Stating that reforms in the power sector were of prime importance if the privatisation experiment was to succeed, Ms. Dikshit said with a tool in their hands to check power theft, the companies would be able to reduce their losses substantially and in return this could lead to fall in power tariffs in the coming years. Residents' welfare associations have been demanding strong steps to check power theft and subsidy for honest consumers.

Apart from the anti-theft legislation, Ms. Dikshit said an action plan was also being worked out to have a proper police force in place to deal with the incidents of thefts in various parts of the Capital on the lines of what was being done in Kolkata.

No separate police force

Ruling out a separate police force for this purpose, the Chief Minister informed that the matter had already been taken up with Police Commissioner K.K. Paul and things would be sorted out soon.

"As there are lot of formalities and clearances required for setting up a separate police force, we have decided to go ahead with having some dedicated personnel picked up from the present set-up and help them assist the private companies in putting an end to this power theft menace," she stated.

According to the initial plan, Ms. Dikshit said some police personnel would be taken from the Capital's police stations. They would exclusively be put on duty to help the discoms' personnel to check the incidents of theft and also provide security to them in discharging their official duty.

Asserting that it was important to put in place a certain mechanism to ensure that dishonest consumers do not go scot-free, the Chief Minister said large-scale theft of power cannot be allowed to go on unchecked and everybody would have to contribute to ensure that the quality of services improves to the expectations of consumers.

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