Harsh action against recalcitrant power defaulters
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 12, 2011: Electricity CE, N Sarat today cautioned of harsh action to electricity defaulters trying to illegaly reconnect their power lines.

Briefing reporters in his office chamber, the Chief Engineer said that cases will be registered against those who reconnect disconnected lines and that they will be seriously dealt with.

They may be given a five year jail term or a fine of Rs. 5 lakh or both by the court under relevant sections of the Electricity Act.

Sarat said the power lost rate still stands at 80%.The collection of power levy is also very low.

Outstanding arrears during the fiscal year 2009-10 ended March 31, 2010 was Rs. 257 crore.

During the period, the department could collect only Rs. 14.24 crore from the general consumers and Rs. 51.89 crore from government departments.

For the current fiscal year 2010-11 till December 2010, the outstanding arrear was Rs. 309 crore.

Only Rs. 10.30 crore power consumption charge was collected from the general consumers and Rs. 2.3 crore from the government departments during the period.

The tax collected from the Central government's establishments was Rs. 4.7 crore.

2330 unauthorized and default power lines were disconnected during since the commencement of the drive.

Out of this total, 679 were disconnected during the period from January 24 to 31 and 1651 from February 1 to 10. In the drive, fines have been imposed on 137 consumers and 46 defaulters have been sent to jail, he added.

Regarding the PIL against his department CE Sarat said, one of the petitioners of the PIL was himself a defaulter having a due bill of Rs. 73,193.His power line has now been disconnected.

Asked about the marked difference in the minimum power consumption charge, the CE clarified that the minimum charge fixed by the department is Rs. 410 (counting on the average of consumption of two kilowatts).

Considering the power supply condition, they fixed the minimum rate at Rs. 195 for consumers getting power 7 to 8 hours a day.

The department is planning to increase the power supply to authorized consumers, he added.

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