HomePunjabPhenomenal increase in power theft in 12 PSPCL divisions before Punjab polls

Phenomenal increase in power theft in 12 PSPCL divisions before Punjab polls

Phenomenal increase in power theft in 12 PSPCL divisions before Punjab polls

Bahadurjeet Singh /Rupnagar

In the run up to the Punjab elections, there has been a phenomenal increase in  power theft last year in the notorious theft- prone 12 divisions of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and PSPCL  is  losing Rs 1,200 crore every year in the state’s politically sensitive areas.

As per Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission data(PSERC),the distribution losses,  excluding agriculture power, of these 12 divisions vary between 45 % to 82 % an increase of about 10 % over the last year’s losses. The number of  PSPCL divisions having distribution losses more than 50% has increased  from 4 to 10 during the nine-month period  ending  September 2021.

Taran Taran and Amritsar circles in border zone  are the two  circles of PSPCL  where power theft is a way of life for the last so many years.. In Tarn Taran circle  Bhikhiwind, Patti, and city divisions of PSPCL have losses of 81.83% ,73.55 %, and 51,9 %  respectively. In  Amritsar suburban circle  West, Ajnala, and Sub-urban  have losses of 62.06 %, 62.9 %, and 45.33 %, respectively.

There are certain other pockets in Punjab  where power theft is also rampant and  these areas which include part of Sangrur, Bhatinda, Ferozepur, Faridkot  and Muktsar circles.

Phenomenal increase in power theft in 12 PSPCL divisions before Punjab polls-Photo courtesy Internet
Power Theft

In Sangrur circle,Lehragaga and  Patran  have losses of 56.47 % and 51.81 %respectively. In the Muktsar circle Malout division  has losses of 47.88%. In Faridkot, Baghapurana division has 52.95 % losses. In Bhatinda, Bhagtakalan has losses of more than 57.82% In Ferozepur, the Zira area has losses of more than 61.57 %.
PSPCL in its ARR for 2022-23 has attributed that the main reason of losses under these divisions is huge power theft. Most of these divisions fall under the border belt which is the epicenter of power theft.

V K Gupta spokesperson,  All India Power Engineers Federation said that the unchecked continuous theft of power in Punjab is basically supported by the politicians of all shades which is causing huge losses to the PSPCL.
This fact is known to the administration who has turned a blind eye to the politically sensitive issue. It is hoped that now AAP government will give necessary help to PSPCL management to curb the theft of power in these areas.

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