Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) expressing concern over considerable revenue loss on Wednesday warned of stringent action against consumers found violating power consumption norms.
MSPDCL managing director, in a release, said consumers found indulging in theft of electricity by means of bypassing prepaid energy meters, tapping of electricity without proper consent (paper-work) etc. shall be subjected to stringent legal action as per the Electricity Act, 2003.
It asserted that illegal usage of electricity is a cognizable offence and the offender is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to three years or with fine or both under the Act. It further warned that disconnection of power with no provision for reconnection in future may also be imposed.
It may be mentioned IFP had recently reported on the frequent power cuts in the state.
A sum of Rs. 60,91,000 has been collected as penalty for illegal usage of electricity from April last year till date while 979 cases on illegal power consumption were found and 7 FIRs registered.
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For the last few months, people across the state have been facing irregular power. Around 90 per cent of the consumers in the state have registered for pre-paid power service.
It pointed out that the revenue collection has gone down and it is not in consonance with the energy utilised. The company is required to achieve regular revenue realisation to suffice procurement of necessary power to ensure 24X7 power supply to the consumers, it said.
Unauthorised/illegal use of electricity through meter by-passing, hooking, meter tampering and unauthorised connection etc. is highly suspected, it said. As such MSPDCL is unable to maintain regular supply during peak hours, the release stated, adding that the company is obliged to pay huge costs to Power Generation companies for power purchase.
In the event of failure to pay on time, Power regulations (disconnections) from the generating companies are imminent and subsequently MSPDCL will fail to provide 2407 uninterrupted power supply across the state of Manipur, it maintained.
It further urged HT Consumers, government consumers and LT postpaid consumers to clear their outstanding electricity bill dues by February and said that their electricity connections are liable to disconnection without any further notice. It also appealed to all to extend cooperation with the activities taken to provide reliable power supply.
