KPDCL Cracks Down on Power Theft: Remote Disconnection and Penalty for Smart Metered Consumers
Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has warned smart-metered consumers to stop unauthorized use of electricity through hooking, which is punishable under the Electricity Act.
During recent inspection drives, KPDCL has booked numerous consumers in urban and semi-urban areas of Kashmir Division for bypassing meters and laying illegal hooks to steal power.
Reports of hooking have been received from all city subdivisions and some district headquarters where smart meters have been installed. KPDCL is taking swift action against hooking, starting with remote disconnection of the consumer’s electricity supply.
The corporation will also recover energy consumed illegally. Some of the smart-metered areas badly affected by hooking include Mominabad, Batmaloo, Tengpora, and Alocha Bagh.
KPDCL has mapped all consumers found involved in hooking and will present challans in Designated Courts under the Electricity Act for imposition of hefty fines on consumers habitual of meter tampering and hooking.
FIRs have also been registered against 35 consumers for tampering and bypassing smart meters. KPDCL has installed 2,99,755 smart meters in Kashmir Division under PMDP I & II, with 1,21,651 smart meters converted into prepaid mode.
Prepaid consumers have the advantage of daily bill generation and checking of energy used. They can also recharge their account in advance to enjoy reliable power supply.
KPDCL’s efforts to combat power theft and promote responsible energy consumption are commendable. Consumers are advised to cooperate and avoid illegal practices to avoid penalties and disconnection.
