The power sector experts have suggested firing of at least 100 known corrupt persons in power distribution companies to reduce transmission and distribution losses. It may be noted that Secretary Power Division had pointed out last weekend that the government was trying to end culture of electricity theft where not only such criminal practices will be halted but action would be taken against corrupt elements in power utilities abetting the culprits.
Already, a task force has been set up against power theft and the Punjab government has extended its full support to the task force. The power division has also decided to install smart meters and ABC cables (Aerial Bundle Cable) in two major circles of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) to make power theft impossible.
However, the power sector experts are of the view that reorganization of the power distribution companies into smaller companies may also lead to a workable solution. Furthermore, they said introduction of smart meters on 11kV substations, and distribution transformers can be another cheaper and manageable solution. They said the government should also create high level positions of Chief Loss Reduction Officers both at the division and company levels and assign them targets besides implementing and coordinating the steps taken to control power theft.
Power theft has been a stumbling block in smooth power supply besides adding to the circular debt. Successive government has been making efforts to control it but to no avail. Only a few distribution companies, including the Lahore Electric Supply Company, have improved the situation on ground while rest of the sector is booking heavy losses every month. Also, the previous government has been shifting their theft to the industrial consumers by adding over Rs3 per unit that has multiplied cost of doing business.