Nothing lesser than thieves Illegal power connections
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 07 2015 -

Electric power consumption meter :: Pix - TSE

Situation has considerably improved. However nothing much to suggest that there is a change in mindset to appreciate the efforts taken up by the Government so far.

A point amply demonstrated by the drive taken up against illegal power tapping or power theft or illegal connection.

Give it any name, it all boils down to the same point, that is unauthorised power consumers.

Tough to spell out the number of illegal power consumers in the State but it should be more than clear that there are quite a lot of people out there who have never hesitated in getting illegal or unauthorised power connection.

The result is there for all to see. Unpaid power tariff means a huge drain on the State exchequer and irregular power supply to all. Something which the people of Manipur have experienced for decades.

After the State Power Department was corporatised and bifurcated into two wings, one dealing with distribution and the other with power generation-the Manipur State Power Distribution Company and Manipur State Power Corporation some time back, there was a marked improvement in power supply.

The load shedding after every one day is now more or less history, except in cases when there are natural disturbances, but there are elements out there who are yet to overcome their urge to steal power supply.

It is to stop power pilferage and check unpaid power bills that the pre-paid metre system was introduced some time back.

The places where the pre-paid system has been introduced have seen a marked improvement but there are still elements out there who will go the extra mile to steal power through whatever means they can employ.

There are laws to crack down on power thefts and penalties to be paid by violators, but it is a change in the mindset of the people that is the most needed.

The situation must be worse in the hill districts.

Not uncommon to see households enjoying power supply without installing any metre. Consume power but do not pay the bills.

More than acceptability, this has achieved some sort of a social sanction and this is a matter of concern.

It is not only power bills and the mentality is such that majority of the people prefer to forget that they do have a bounden duty towards the State.

A practise it has become for some to come under the impression that there is nothing wrong in not paying water bill, vehicle taxes and all types of taxes payable to the Government.

Taking advantage of such a mindset are the numerous powerful and influential people who have never hesitated in hoodwinking the Government and not pay up their taxes.

A change in the people’s mindset is the need of the hour.

Other than this, the Government too may give some thought on how to simplify the process of paying bills to the Government, be it power tariff or water tax.

Duty towards the State may be something which ought to be included in the school syllabus of all students.

It is the duty of any Government to ensure power supply to the consumers and equally true it is for all the consumers to realise that they do have to pay for what they consume.

This is one way to make living more meaningful and comfortable.