KPDCL adds 13,179 connections in 3
months, carries out 55K inspections to curb losses
11,450 consumers also disconnected
for non-payment of dues
No tariff hike, only calibrated rationalisation of load as per
consumption
SRINAGAR, JULY 08:
Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has added 13,719 fresh
connections to its domestic consumer base of 9.81 lakh, adding load of 7.5 MW
in the system.
To curb power theft
and bring down losses, as many as 55,321 inspection drives were carried out by
Kashmir DISCOM from April to June this year.
In a statement
issued here today, a KPDCL spokesperson stated that vigorous enforcement drives
are being undertaken on a daily basis at Subdivisional level to crackdown on
incidents of power pilferage, primarily by hooking and bypassing of meters in
urban areas and exceeding of sanctioned load in rural areas. “Strict directions
have been given to SDOs to recover dues for energy unauthorizedly consumed,
raise Writ of Demand and present their cases for imposition of penalty before
the Designated Courts,” he explained, adding those found using electricity
unauthorizedly shall be dealt with an iron hand.
Giving details, the
spokesman said 1949 new connections were added in Kulgam, 1630 in Budgam, 1269
in Sopore, 982 in Anantnag, 935 in Tangmarg, 843 in Ganderbal, 812 in Shopian,
747 in Awantipora and 611 in Bijbehara Electric Division.
Apart from above,
KDPCL has also intensified action against tampering of smart meters with
several FIRs registered in concerned Police Stations. “Nearly 600 applications
have been filed for registration of FIRs for smart meter tampering and other
thefts like hooking,” he added.
Expressing concern
over unauthorised use of electricity by consumers, the KPDCL spokesman said
that even in peak summer months, reports of damage to distribution transformers
are being received from some parts of Kashmir Valley. “KPDCL advises its
consumers to avoid using crude heating gadgets like heaters and boilers, which
have been banned by the Government,” he added.
The spokesman
further stated that KPDCL has disconnected 11,450 consumers for non-payment of
pending dues during the first quarter of the current financial year. This
includes 8,655 domestic, 2,697 commercial, 94 hoteliers and 34 industrial
units. “Outstanding arrears amounting to Rs.43.26 crore have also been
recovered from the consumers,” he added.
Urging the
consumers to ignore rumours on tariff hike, the spokesperson once again
reiterated that KPDCL has not hiked electricity tariff in both metered and
non-metered areas. He, however, stated that calibrated rationalization of load
as per actual consumption in unmetered areas is being carried out by all
Electric Subdivisions, following Supply Code regulations. “Consumers can opt
for metered billing, if they find flat-rated charges disproportionate to their
consumption,” the spokesman advised.