After power deficit, pilferage plagues electricity utilities

The APTransco and power utilities, which find it difficult to manage power supply situation in the state, have to now perform another arduous task - that of controlling and preventing power pilferage which has been spiraling upwards every year.

Between December 2011 and November 2012, the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Ltd (APCPDCL) filed as many as 1,23,371 cases, collecting fines worth Rs 83.53 crore. In the same period during 2010-11, 43,543 cases were filed, pointing to an increase of 183 per cent. And of the total cases, 47,063 were of power thefts only.

Officials from the energy pilferage detection squad said they intensified inspection in seven districts and 11 circles of APCPDCL. “More than 300 charge-sheets were filed in the last one year alone, and 11 officers suspended. In addition, we have appointed vigilant officers in all the circles,” an official said on condition of anonymity. Officials said that rigorous inspection increased the income of the discom from Rs 780 to Rs 1080 crore.

The highest increase of cases - theft, unauthorised usage, development charges and back-billing among all circles of CPDCL - was in Ananthapur district. “Power theft and pilferage is greater in rural areas. Ananthapur is a vast place, and hence the high numbers. Apart from that, development charge cases will be higher in industrial areas as it pertains to using more load than provided,” an official explained.

Hyderabad district, which is divided under north, south and central zones has also seen an ascent in the number of cases. All forms of cases doubled in all the three zones compared to last year. Power theft cases however remained higher in the south zone, which comprises of mostly old city areas. “Loses in old city area is high, about 45 per cent.

However, that has also come down now when compared to last year,” mentioned the official.