Karachi Electric Supply Company on Thursday faced physical resistance from the residents of Bhitai Colony, Korangi Crossing against removal of around 30 illegal power connections being used to run water pumps. According to a survey conducted by KESC task force teams, over 30 water suction pumps were found to be operating through illegal electricity connections in Bhitai Colony and illegal hooks in Altaf Town Korangi also.
Upon the survey report, KESC launched a Kunda removal drive in the area with the help of police mobile and removed about 50 Kunda connections by the residents. The teams also removed three water pumps being run on illegal connections but only after removing three pumps they had to face stiff physical resistance from local residents.
KESC demanded of the government agencies to support its efforts to remove these illegal installations in view of the revenue loss and power needs of genuine consumers. According to sources, KESC was facing at least 24 percent power theft amounting to Rs 24 billion per year. According to a formula set by KESC to calculate the power losses the percentage of power theft was roughly around 24 and one percent accounts for Rs 1 billion per annum.
The company had initiated installing ABC cables in different areas of the metropolis, such as Awan Colony No 1 and 2, Christian Colony, Bengali Para, Orangi Town, etc, to reduce power theft through Kunda system but the illegal practices were yet to be controlled. The fast developing new poor localities were stealing less electricity as compared to those living in posh areas of the metropolis with KESC staffers being their accomplices in most of the reported cases. The company was hardly taking action against its staff allegedly involved in irregularities, such as distribution of illegal connections, power theft, issuance of fixed bills to customers, etc. Ironically, power thieves from the under/least-developed areas are often brought under heavy criticism, but no one has the moral courage to raise his/her voice when the same is committed in posh areas.
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