In its vigorous on-going crackdown against power theft and recovery of over dues in its region, the Gujranwala Electric Power Company has recovered Rs 30 million from 602 electricity stealers for 1.8 million theft units of electricity during first fortnight of this month.
GEPCO spokesman told Business Recorder that the distribution company booked 294 culprits and registered FIRs against them in the respective police stations of Gujranwala Cantt, city, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad circles of the company on account of stealing electricity through direct hooks, tempering of meters, damaging transmission lines, electricity equipment and transformers. They have been imposed heavy fines against this illegal use of electricity.
GEPCO chief executive Mohsin Raza Khan has instructed the Task Force and Surveillance teams to continue detection of power theft in coordination of district administration to achieve all the goals set by the federal government for minimizing the line losses.
According to PEPCO officials, the country is sustaining about Rs 213 billion line losses annually and theft of electric power is a major problem faced by all electric utilities, DISCOS in Pakistan. The overall line losses of ten Discos stood around 17.9 percent by the end of fiscal.
The Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) suffered 37.9 percent transmission and line losses during the year 2016-17. Its losses during 2014-15 were 38.3 percent. Insiders believe the improvement was occurred due to the Rangers' role in bill recovery and electricity theft prevention operations.
The line losses of Pesco were reduced to 32.6 percent while in 2014-15 the losses were 34.8 percent. The losses in Qesco were 23.1 percent during 2016-17 while in 2014-15 they were 23.9 percent. Line losses in Hesco increased from 27.1 percent in 2014-15 to 30.6 percent in 2016-17. The Mepco losses remained at 16.8 percent in 2016-17. During the previous years, the losses were 16.7 percent.
In 2016-17, the Lesco is showing 13.8 percent transmission and line losses, Gepco 10.2 percent, Fesco 10.6 percent, Iesco 9.0 percent and Tesco 15.4 percent.
The centre would also prepare weekly analysis report of the campaign, assist members of provincial task force on energy and coordinate with their counterparts at Pesco headquarters.
The official said a notification regarding the centre has been issued and all concerned including chief minister, advisor to the CM for energy and power, chief secretary and KP IGP, chief Pesco executive officer, all chief engineers, superintendent engineers, XENs of Pesco, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners were informed in this regard.
He said the centre could be contacted for any complaint and suggestions on phone number 091-9223635 or email address antitheftkpk @ gmail.com.
He said all those stealing electricity from industrial, commercial or high-end domestic connections would be brought to book.
"We will take strong action against electricity stealers without any discrimination or political affiliations.
He said a comprehensive plan had been devised to make the national drive against power pilferage a success in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A task force had been set up at provincial level whereas committees were formed in divisions and districts to curb power theft on the ground.
"Power stealers deprive law-abiding people of their basic right and residents should come forward by informing Wapda, Pesco and police, so that prompt action against power thieves could be taken.
"Powers stealers should be boycotted socially as they are misusing the electricity and depriving all those people of their right who pay electricity bills regularly," he noted.
He said power stealers need to be exposed before the public as they are responsible for hours-long load-shedding and low voltage that often damages precious electric appliances due to fluctuations.
The official stressed the need for efforts at individual and organisational level with national spirit to overcome the scourge.
He urged people and officials to ensure full support to district administration and police for success of the ongoing campaign.
He also sought active support of media, academicians, LG representatives and religious scholars to raise awareness against power theft and strengthening hands of Pesco and Wapda officials to ensure smooth transmission of electricity to domestic and industrial consumers without any hindrance.
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