ELECTRIC POWER THEFT IN J&K

                                         

THE HEATER IN THE KITCHEN..

The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has launched an extensive campaign to combat power theft, conducting day and night inspections that have exposed a range of illegal practices from hooking to meter tampering. During these inspections, officials discovered instances of consumers resorting to simple hooking of distribution lines and complex tampering of meters. In certain locations, individuals had gone as far as installing changeovers to facilitate power theft. KPDCL, in its pursuit to raise awareness, has been sharing videos on the social media platform X, one of which, originating from Chanapora, has gone viral. The footage reveals a consumer utilising underground wiring to stealthily siphon off electricity.”…..( A news  item published in the  ‘Greater Kashmir’ newspaper of  December 9, 2023 )

 “The ongoing drive has already yielded significant results, as KPDCL officials successfully identified power thieves, acting as a deterrent against further incidents,” a KPDCL official said. “Through our inspections, we have discovered that several commercial establishments, including shopping complexes and shops, are engaging in power theft. This occurs either through the direct use of hooking methods or by surpassing the agreed-upon load significantly. For instance, a downtown shop, with a 3 KW agreement, was found to be utilising a load exceeding 10 KW during our inspection, resulting in losses for the corporation. Consequently, in addition to targeting domestic consumers, our efforts to combat power pilferage by commercial consumers will be heightened.”… .”…..( A news  item published in the  ‘ Grater Kashmir’ newspaper of  December2 9, 2023 )

No person in J&K (UT ) can say that he doesn't know what a kitchen heater is. For many decades, we used this tool to save our fuel costs in the kitchen. Heaters and heating coils were sold everywhere. Even grocery stores sold heating coils needed for replacement.    In one way or the other, electric power was stolen by all in the UT till the 1980s. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, and people from all walks indulged in power theft.   This theft was also facilitated by a lineman or meter reader. Quite often a lineman would assist consumers in making the electric meter dead. He would also assure the consumers by informing them in advance of any inspection, saying,"'  ma he gham, ba chhus na' or  ' Don't worry unnecessarily. I am there to see all.”

 The so-called inspection, if at all, did take place, the lineman or the meter reader would take the inspecting official to a consumer who was not paying regular bribes for stealing power. If the consumer settled the unpaid bribe during the inspection, all was "okay".

                           

 

(Representational picture of Power Theft)

 The clerk in the revenue collection counter of the Electricity Department was also sympathetic to this theft. If you had an outstanding of 300 rupees in the books of the Electric Department, it could be settled by paying just 100 or 120 rupees and a bribe to the dealing clerk who would give a "No Outstanding" certificate on the receipt issued by the department. A hook or Kundi on the main service line was the accepted reality of existence for many families. Tampering with meters or bypassing meters was a common feature in households. During morning hours, the voltage dropped to unbelievably low due to widespread use of heaters in the kitchens by one and all. All of us were well trained in using and making innovations with this appliance. Many families had fitted the heaters in their traditional hearths (Chulha or Dhaan). Even our womenfolk were skilled in joining cut pieces of heating coils of heaters in the event of breakdowns or faults. Many families made boilers from the broken or cut pieces of coils. While the rest of the countrymen paid for what they consumed, we believed that electric power was free.

 However, that is a story of the past now. Now, most of the areas in the J&K  UT have electronic meters which are connected to the central grid for online billing. People living in these areas have adjusted to paying for the power that they consume either by using PDD's online Sahuliyat facility or direct deposit at the designated J&K bank branch. There are still some pockets in Jammu and Srinagar where power theft or pilferage continues, and consumption billing is improper. Unfortunately, assisted by some politicians, some consumers living in unmetered localities have taken to the streets and resisted the installation of electronic meters. They want the power theft facility to continue.

 

 (Avtar Mota)

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