PSPCL is cracking down heavily and conducting substantial raids to curb menace of power theft

PUNJAB STATE POWER CORPORATION LIMITED
Public Relations Office
PRESS NOTE, Patiala July 26,2019

Following the clear directions of CM Punjab to curb menace of theft, PSPCL is conducting systematic and precise raids to curb power theft in the state, so that citizens of Punjab are free from glitches of such unscrupulous practices, which endanger the entire network.

Er. Baldev Singh Sran, CMD, PSPCL revealed that PSPCL’s Patiala Team conducted a raid and got arrested two such anti-social elements, who were indulging in power theft by replacing the energy meters by fake meters. Both these consumers namely Rajneesh Saxena s/o Fakeer Chand, resident of Bindra Colony and Amarjeet Kaur w/o Balvir Singh, resident of Sidhu Colony, Patiala have been arrested and sent to Central Jail Patiala for further investigation of the matter. Police has got many vital clues from them about other probable culprits operating in the state facilitating such activities.

Further, PSPCL’s anti-theft police cell also nabbed private person Harbans Singh, resident of Anand Nagar-B, Patiala from Rajpura along with his car, which was fully equipped with a variety of meter tampering instruments. He was trying to flee from the state and was nabbed with a well laid off trap. He has also given some vital inputs, about where he was enabling power theft and such other persons, who are also involved in this shameful act. Anti theft Police will obtain the remand of Harbans Singh for further investigation and to unearth the whole scam. CMD appreciated the efforts of its West Division Patiala Team and also of Team of Anti Power Theft Police Station.

Er. Sran seemed quite confident that PSPCL will be able to further identify & understand the modus operandi being used by these power thieves, who are using quite diverse methods to steal power. CMD said that it is a big success for PSPCL and it will definitely help in busting the real culprits and their complete gang.

Er. Sran said, “We have started with auditing of 11kV feeders and the aim is to identify high loss areas. Taking action for preventing theft in those feeders is the immediate target of PSPCL.”

PSPCL has further identified some potential theft cases including 183 connections in Patiala, 308 connections in Ludhiana, 213 connections in Jalandhar, 124 connections in Amritsar and 146 connections in Bathinda. All these connections are under microscopic scanner of PSPCL authorities and will be raided in coming days after its initial study is complete. Intensive study has already been initiated throughout the State to find out such possible theft cases. CMD has directed all the field officers in every district to lodge FIRs in each and every case of power theft, so that this social evil is immediately controlled.

Er. Sran further said that PSPCL is not only curbing power theft but is also identifying unscrupulous elements among its staff who despite having been forewarned through written communication, have not stopped indulging in misdemeanors. After learning about news of vigilance bureau caught red handed a consumer clerk for receiving bribe of Rs. 25,000/- for change in name of AP Tubewell connection. The working of City Patran Sub-Division was got checked and as per preliminary report its was found that SDO Er. Balwinder Kumar was found to be negligent and delinquent towards duty and has been placed under suspension and his headquarter has been fixed at the office of CE/West Zone, Bathinda. Further regular inquiry has been initiated to investigate the working of Patran Division. Further Er. Sran said that corruption in any shape and form will not be tolerated whether it is committed by consumer or PSPCL employees.

Public is requested to report about power theft on WhatsApp number 96461-75770 through message to arrest this social evil, with the joint and sincere efforts of all citizens and make Punjab, Power Theft Free State and he further ensured that identity of person will be kept secret.

Issued by Dy.Secy.P.R./PSPCL,Patiala

PRESS NOTE NO 77 ,JULY 26,2019