Massive power theft crackdown in Navi Mumbai’s Airoli; 105 cases worth Rs 31.31 lakh detected in one day

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited MSEDCL has launched a major crackdown on power theft and irregular electricity use in unauthorised buildings in Airoli an official statement said on WednesdayThe action was carried out on September 3 in Airoli village Sainath Wadi Deshmukh Wadi Gothivali and Ghansoli under the Airoli subdivision of MSEDCLs Bhandup Urban CircleDuring the oneday drive electricity officials inspected several premises and detected 105 cases of power theft or irregular electricity use it saidOf the 105 cases 78 were confirmed as power theft under Section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003According to MSEDCL these cases involved the theft of 143063 units of electricity valued at around Rs 3131 lakhThe remaining cases included 22 suspected instances of power theft under Section 135 which have been kept under further observation Three cases were identified under Section 126 of the Electricity Act while two cases involved plain assessmentSeveral buildings found involvedThe inspection found power theft in several buildings and locations in AiroliAt Mauli Apartment 18 consumers were found to have stolen 26755 units of electricity worth Rs 533 lakh At Krishna Heights six consumers were found involved in theft of 5530 units valued at Rs 120 lakhAt Matoshri Apartment 11 consumers were found to have stolen 12956 units worth Rs 254 lakh while 12 consumers at Omsai Apartment were found involved in theft of 11167 units valued at Rs 186 lakhThree consumers at Pansheel Apartment were found to have stolen 11700 units worth Rs 318 lakhHighest theft recordedAccording to an official statement the highest amount of power theft detected at a single location was reported at a building located at Shamshan Bhoomi Garden where two consumers were found to have stolen 39629 units of electricity worth Rs 963 lakhAt Sinhankit Nivas Garden eight consumers were found involved in theft of 4732 units worth Rs 91000At Bhagirathi building nine consumers were found to have stolen 11664 units valued at Rs 223 lakhIn other locations seven consumers were found involved in theft of 16993 units worth Rs 411 lakhMSEDCL also reported two plainassessment cases involving 4082 units with dues of around Rs 63000 The assessment process in these cases is currently underway the statement saidSeven teams conduct inspectionsIt further said that the crackdown was conducted by seven special teams comprising five executive engineers and around 50 officers and employees More than 55 officials and staff took part in the operationThe teams checked electricity connections meters patterns of electricity consumption and possible irregularities in the use of electricityMSEDCL officials said the inspections were particularly focused on identifying unauthorised connections meter tampering and other methods used to steal electricityMSEDCLs Bhandup Urban Circle chief engineer said power theft places an indirect financial burden on consumers who pay their electricity bills honestly and also affects the electricity distribution networkThe official said action against power theft would continue and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those found stealing electricityMSEDCL has also appealed to consumers to report suspected cases of power theft and other electricityrelated irregularities to the utilityCrackdown to continueMSEDCL said itsantipowertheft campaign will continue across the area Officials will monitor cases involving electricity theft meter tampering unauthorised consumption and other irregularitiesThe utility has warned consumers against attempting to steal electricity stating that the Electricity Act 2003 provides for stringent penalties and punishment for power theftThe latest drive is aimed at reducing losses caused by electricity theft and ensuring a more reliable power supply for genuine consumers