Saturday, July 25, 2009

Measures to Curb Electricity Theft

LOK SABHA

The Government is aware of the power theft in the country. Electricity Distribution is a subject of states. However, number of steps are being taken in this regards by Govt. of India also. The Electricity Act, 2003 provides a legal framework for making theft of electricity a cognizable offence. Under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, whoever dishonestly taps lines or cables or service wires, tampers, damages or destroys meters etc., shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years or with fine or with both. Following Initiative/measures also are being taken to minimize theft of electricity: 

• Meter’s installation as per CEA regulations which includes temper features. 

• Emphasis on 100% Consumer metering, feeder metering and Distribution transformer metering. 

• Establishment of special courts and police stations, etc. So far 23 States have set up special courts under section 153 of the Electricity Act, 2003. 

• Emphasis on Energy Audit. 

• Implementation of High Voltage Distribution System and replacement of bare conductors with Aerial Bunched Cables. 

The Government has accorded sanction to implement Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) during the XI Plan with revised terms and conditions as a Central Sector Scheme. The focus of the programme shall be on actual, demonstrable performance in terms of sustained loss reduction. The objective is to reduce AT&C losses to 15% and below. 

It is proposed to cover urban areas – towns and cities with population of more than 30,000 (10,000 in case of special category states). In addition, in certain high-load density rural areas with significant loads, works of separation of agricultural feeders from domestic and industrial ones, and of High Voltage Distribution System (11kV) will also be taken up. 

Projects under the scheme shall be taken up in Two Parts. Part-A shall include the projects for establishment of baseline data and IT applications for energy accounting/auditing & IT based consumer service centres and Part-B shall include regular distribution strengthening projects. 

This information was given by Shri Bharatsinh Solanki, Minister of State, Ministry of Power in a written reply to a question by Shri B.B. Patil in the Lok Sabha today.

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