Power Dept to conduct night raids to check pilferage

Power Dept to conduct night raids to check pilferage
Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, August 13
To keep a check on the power theft across the state, the Power Development Department (PDD) has decided to conduct raids at night and take pictures of violations to maintain a record.

Following the directions of the state and the Central government, the PDD has now decided to take this step, as the losses incurred by the state government due to the power theft had been increasing with each passing year.

“After the successful trial of two days, we have now decided to conduct raids at night, so that defaulters could be penalised. All the executive engineers have been directed to conduct raids in their respective areas during night and take pictures of the violations,” Shahnaz Goni, chief engineer, PDD told The Tribune. She added that the people made some hue and cry during the trial period. “We have decided to take pictures and also take the help of the police. If anyone tries to make a hue and cry, the police will take action accordingly.”

Giving details about the night raids, Goni said the raids would start in a short period and the department was expecting to collect a huge amount as penalty from defaulters. She said, “All the areas would be raided and not even a single establishment would be spared.” The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had suggested to the state government to strictly deal with violators, so that the losses could be minimised.

Ironically, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah holds the power portfolio, yet the state is reeling under huge power cuts.

Violations Galore With losses due to power thefts piling up, the state government has decided to go tough on violators. Power officials will also take pictures during raids for evidence. The defaulters would be penalised