The Hindu : Kerala News : Need for stringent action to check power theft

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Saturday, Jul 01, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Need for stringent action to check power theft

The magnitude of power theft taking place in the State which was revealed by Electricity Minister A.K. Balan in the Assembly recently was shocking. He announced a scheme under which those indulging in the malpractice can make voluntary disclosures and remit the payment for it to the Kerala State Electricity Board which will keep their identity confidential. Do you think it will work? If not, what should the Board do to discourage power theft? Our readers respond:

Unviable option

Power cuts are common in the State, especially owing to increased power theft. People steal power to evade paying for it.

So, the proposition for voluntary disclosure of theft and paying for it is not viable. If power theft has to be stopped, an additional police force has to be deployed to investigate and bring the criminals to book. Usually, people do not steal without a motive, which, most often, is gain; so, why anyone wants to give up the gain? The Government should initiate steps to increase supply of power and reduce its cost.

Sean Thomas

Kochi

Conduct raids

Power theft is being reported from many areas in the State recently. Those who indulge in the malpractice include the elite. The authorities should give people a chance for voluntary declaration. People who have managed to tamper with the readings in the electricity meter can cleverly cover their tracks. Some may prefer to be honest for a change and disclose voluntarily to avoid complications or stop the malpractice to avoid penal actions. In some cases, the malpractices must have been going on with the knowledge of employees of the electricity board. The employees should be taken into confidence and remedial steps initiated.

Measures such as re-examination of connected load capacity, verification of consumption pattern of the consumer and snap checks should be done. A comparison with the connected load in a specified area with the consumption pattern over a period of time and allowing for routine transmission losses can give certain information whether theft is suspected or not. Such information, coupled with an intelligence network, can provide vital clues to the authorities. Investigations and raids will help detect power thefts and increase the revenue of the board.

O.B. Nair

Poonithura

Deploy squad

The scheme of voluntary disclosure upholds the values of democracy and respect towards power consumers. However, such steps alone will not help curb power thefts. A squad should be constituted to inspect and inquire into consumption of power.

G. Jayachandran Nair

Kochi

Step up vigil

Power theft is a crime and should be curbed. Power thefts hamper smooth and profitable functioning of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Rigorous punishment should be meted out to erring consumers. The support of corrupt officials and political influence always encourage the culprit to smoothly run his nasty business. More squads should be deployed. Secret agents are needed to help the KSEB detect cases of power theft. Further, power connection of the erring consumer should be disconnected for a long duration and heavy penalty imposed. The sealing of the meter may deter consumers desiring to indulge in power thefts. When the officials visit the houses for billing, major decline in monthly power consumption should be taken note of. Surprise checks are also essential. The officials need be more vigilant. However, power theft is more common in the industrial and agriculture sector. Hence, the authorities should step up vigil in such areas.

R.P. Pillai

Alappuzha

End malpractice

The scheme for voluntary disclosure will not work, as every malpractice is the handiwork of criminal intent. Only a dishonest person will conceal and deny what he has done. There is no way the person will disclose his misdeeds. Power theft is planned with the sole motive of cheating the KSEB and such persons do not deserve any leniency. The expectation that such persons will act in response to the offer of the Minister is false. The only way out to end such malpractices is to improve the mechanism available to discover power theft and deal with the offenders, be it the consumer or the KSEB officials, They should be brought to book. The offender may be booked under the relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code.

V.P. Ramesan

Thripunithura

Lack of effort

The main hurdle in detecting power theft is the lack of effort by the Government and the public. The solution is to revamp the distribution network between the trunk line and the consumer. The idea entails higher capital costs, but the related relief in maintenance and policing power lines enables a sound trade-off. The arrangement also makes theft from distribution lines more difficult. This will help discourage theft. A sensitive supply interface with the consumer enables instant detection and malfunctioning of the meter.

Devraj Sambasivan

Alappuzha

Media coverage

The anti-power theft team is doing a good job. The elite indulge in power thefts and are not brought to book by Vigilance or anti-power theft teams. No one will pay his or her dues to the KSEB. However, on seeing the news in the newspapers, others indulging in power theft may stop their malpractices.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

Set up commission

Power theft is a crime and letting criminals conceal their identity is abetting the crime. The decision by the Government will hamper the social development of the State. Many of the remote areas in Kerala face acute power crisis. The rich indulge in power theft estimated at crores of rupees and are sheltered by the authorities. The best way to end power theft is to appoint a separate Vigilance commission for the KSEB. Besides penalty, the criminals should be brought to book. All power connections to their undertakings should be terminated for a specified period.

Krishna K

Kochi

Pragmatic move

It is definitely a pragmatic move and should work to a certain extent. Random raids should be conducted and stringent action taken against the stubborn offenders, including disconnection of power supply, imposing heavy fine and publishing the names of establishments in the media. Incentives can be announced for the detecting team.

Rohit S. Pramod

Alappuzha

Sincere effort

The recent incident of power theft detection unfolds a new avenue of revenue loss to the KSEB. The exercise should not become a political gimmick owing to change in the State governance. It should be a sincere effort towards respecting law-abiding public. The KSEB should handle the cases independently and not succumb to external pressures. It can adopt territory or area-wise checking of connection during meter reading that will help detect power theft at an early stage. Provide concessions for prompt and regular payers. This may dissuade people from indulging in malpractice..

N. Ganapathy Ram

Kochi

Enforce law

It is doubtful whether the new steps to check power theft will yield the expected result, as the culprits are aware that it is illegal. Even if those indulging in power theft are caught, they may bribe corrupt officials of the KSEB. The Government should enforce the existing laws.

Abbas K.M

Kochi

Kochi

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