Provides electricity to Ganesh mandals at a cheaper rate; cracks down on illegal connections via all-women's squad
In order to curb procurement of electricity via illegal means during the recently concluded Ganeshotsav in the satellite city, the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) provided the mandals with electricity at a cheaper rate throughout the festival. MSEB officials said their method worked and its success could be gauged by the fact that this year the number of temporary connections acquired during the fest went up to almost 340.
Legal and Cheap: The MSEB provided Ganesh mandals with electricity at low rates and temporary connections to curb power theft during the recently concluded festival
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Moreover, the MSEB had formed Damini Pathak, an all-women’s team, in 2010 to unearth and put an end to power theft. Two security personnel and the superintendent of the region always accompany the team during its visits to various areas in Navi Mumbai. “We regularly conduct random checks from Airoli to Panvel,” said one of the team members.
MSEB officials said the primary reason an all-women’s team was set up because there had been several instances in the past wherein male officials were manhandled by the accused when they had gone to verify the authenticity of their connections.
Dhananjay Pawar, MSEB public relations officer, said, “We provided mandals with electricity at Rs 3.27/unit, without slab-wise hike. The Navi Mumbai team went around, urging the mandals for a temporary legal connection rather than illegal connections. The tactic paid off and this year the number of temporary connections went up to 340 from 286 in 2012. Hopefully, in coming years, we will be able to get rid of all the illegal connections.”
340 Number of Ganesh mandals that opted for temporary connections from MSEB this year
286 Number of Ganesh mandals that opted for temporary connections from MSEB last year
Did you know?
quiring electricity through illegal means is punishable under sections 125, 126 and 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
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