Imphal, June 11: In an apparent bid to collect outstanding electricity taxes, the State Administration has decided to begin a power disconnection drive against consumers with huge pending bills from June 14, The Chief Engineer, Power Ng Tikendrajit has issued a notification in this regard.

The CE told The Sangai Express today that the consent of the consumers with huge pending bills will be acquired prior to the disconnection.

This is to face any legal eventuality during the drive.

He, however, said that stern action will be taken up under the Indian Electricity Act if the consumers whose power lines had been disconnected for failing to pay taxes are found to be indulging in power theft or reconnecting it in an unauthorized manner under new names.

The erring consumers are liable to be jailed and fine may be imposed against them, the official said.

Tikendrajit also said that all the district administrations have been instructed to pursue the measures taken up by the Administration after the imposition of the President's Rule in the State.

He said that the drive to arrests power thieves will be intensified.

The Police Department has also agreed to render all possible help in the drive.

The Power Department officials along with the police have started picking up consumers for power theft and the measure will be implemented in a larger scale from now on, he added.

The CE expressed regret that revenue collection for power has decreased during the past few months.

Earlier more than Rs one crore was collected each month.

However, steps are being taken up to effect better revenue collection, he added.

The Power official admitted that the department could not provide regular and adequate power supply to the people due to lack of funds and adequate equipments.

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