Mumbai : The state power utility, MSEDCL, on Sunday announced that it has intensified its drive against power theft, uncovering as many as 19,599 cases across domestic, commercial, industrial and other consumer categories over the past four months. Of these, a staggering 11,032 cases were detected in July alone, reflecting the scale of electricity pilferage in the state.According to MSEDCL, inspections conducted since April revealed 15,965 cases involving direct hooking of power lines or tampering with electricity meters, resulting in power theft worth Rs 30.36 crore. Assessment of another 3,634 cases is still underway. The anti-theft campaign was launched in April as part of efforts to reduce distribution and commercial losses. The highest number of theft cases were detected in the Konkan region (7,496), followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (4,597), Nagpur (4,521) and Pune (2,985) regions.Of the total cases assessed so far, MSEDCL has issued electricity theft bills amounting to Rs 30.36 crore. Around 6,629 consumers have paid Rs 14.12 crore, while penalty and settlement charges are also being levied. The utility has recovered Rs 1.85 crore as compounding charges in 4,959 cases so far.The drive gathered momentum in July, when MSEDCL intensified field inspections and detected 11,032 fresh cases of theft through illegal hooks and meter tampering. Assessments in 8,462 cases established theft worth Rs 15.11 crore, and corresponding bills have been issued. Consumers involved in 3,036 cases have already paid Rs 6.22 crore, while assessments and penalty calculations continue in the remaining cases. Region-wise, July detections included 4,084 cases in Konkan, 2,365 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 2,324 in Nagpur and 2,259 in Pune.MSEDCL managing director Lokesh Chandra warned that consumers failing to pay assessed amounts and penalties within the stipulated period will face criminal action under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which provides for fines and imprisonment of up to three years for power theft. The utility is also inspecting disconnected connections and taking action against defaulters found illegally sourcing electricity from other locations.Ends
