AP to contain power pilferage

Hyderabad: In order to minimise the losses and to provide financial relief to the Discoms, the Andhra Pradesh government would soon set up a special mechanism to curb permanently the growing menace of power pilferage in the State.

The power utilities in a recent survey identified that the commercial losses incurred by Discoms was because of theft of energy, unauthorised use of electricity, improper metering, improper meter reading and billing practices.
Reports showed that power utilities were losing Rs 900 crore per annum on the basis of an estimate of even 3 per cent of Commercial losses at Rs 6 for every unit. If commercial losses are curbed, the amount would be realised for better prospects of the Discoms. .

Reviewing the performance of the Discoms here, State Energy Secretary Ajay Jain fixed the responsibility among the employees and officers of the utilities for the reduction of commercial losses. He suggested the heads of the Discoms to educate people the evil effects of the power pilferage which in turn burdens the genuine consumers as well as the utilities.

Stating that a special vigilance teams would be formed to make surprise checks and book cases in theft-prone areas, he said he instructed the AP Transco Joint Managing Director N Sanjay to crack the whip against those who indulged in power theft. The Discoms were told to gear up and prepare time-bound action plans and make all out efforts to prevent theft in their respective areas.

The State Cabinet, which met recently expressed its interest in reduction of overall power distribution losses and to eradicate theft of energy in the State and assured full-fledged cooperation and support to the power utilities to prevent pilferage of energy.