Enforcement teams have been conducting patrols both day and night to monitor and prevent any illegal activities.

||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh June 29, 2024||

Jammu: In a stringent move to curb electricity theft, authorities in Jammu have announced that First Information Reports (FIRs) will now be filed against individuals caught stealing power. The offenders will also face hefty fines. This decision comes in response to the significant increase in electricity load, which has led to prolonged power outages across the region.

To combat the issue, the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has formed teams comprising 15 officers specifically tasked with conducting inspections and taking necessary actions against power theft. Superintendent Engineer Bishan Das has been appointed as the nodal officer for this initiative. Reports generated by these teams will be forwarded to the Managing Director (MD) of JPDCL.

The inspection teams are mandated to prepare comprehensive reports based on data analysis and public inputs. They are required to gather solid evidence, including photographic and videographic proof, to support their findings. Once sufficient evidence is collected, FIRs will be lodged under the relevant sections of the law, specifically Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Offenders will face fines, and in cases involving meter tampering, loop connections, or the use of unauthorized devices, the guilty parties could face imprisonment ranging from three to five years.

JPDCL Managing Director Vikas Kundal has issued a public appeal urging residents to refrain from engaging in electricity theft. He emphasized the legal repercussions and the negative impact such actions have on the overall power supply system.

In a recent enforcement drive, inspection teams targeted upscale areas of Jammu, including Apsara Road, Janipur Market, and Pakki Dhakki. During a single day’s operation, 52 connections were scrutinized, and six consumers were found guilty of power theft. These inspections are part of an ongoing effort to prevent electricity theft and address financial irregularities within the power distribution system.

The enforcement teams have been conducting patrols both day and night to monitor and prevent any illegal activities related to electricity usage. This proactive approach is expected to significantly reduce instances of power theft, thereby improving the overall power supply situation in Jammu.

Public Hardships and Power Cuts…

The citizens of Jammu have been grappling with severe power cuts, a consequence of the burgeoning electricity demand. These outages have disrupted daily life, causing significant inconvenience to households and businesses alike. The prolonged lack of electricity has not only affected routine activities but also heightened the discomfort during the sweltering summer months.

Residents have expressed their frustration over the frequent power cuts, which have exacerbated due to the ongoing electricity theft. The crackdown on power theft is seen as a crucial step towards stabilizing the power supply and ensuring that electricity is equitably distributed across all consumers.

In conclusion, while the JPDCL’s measures to curb electricity theft are stringent, they are necessary to address the escalating power issues in Jammu. The enforcement teams’ dedicated efforts and the legal actions being taken against offenders are expected to bring about a significant improvement in the power supply situation, ultimately benefiting the entire community.