IT IS generally believed that maximum corruption is at the top but in case of electricity theft there is reversal of roles. During the current year, a mere 0.0403 per cent high-tension (H-T) consumers contributed 44.69 per cent to the total revenue of the MP Western Region Electricity Distribution Company while the remaining more than 99 per cent low-tension (L-T) consumers’ contribution to the revenue was 55.309 per cent between April 2005 and February 2006.
The equation was nearly same during previous year and it is more or less same all over the country. This is the primary reason that monitoring of high-tension meter is of greater significance as very minor tampering in high-tension meter intentional or unintentional will have significant effect on the revenue.
Talking to Hindustan Times, an engineer of the Company said on condition of anonymity that maximum dent to revenue of the Company is owing to L-T consumers while H-T consumers rarely indulge in power theft and it is very difficult for them to deceive the Company. He added that modern meters which are being installed at the premises of H-T consumers are very sensitive and through such meters monitoring of electricity consumption on a shorter interval of time is possible hence any tampering done with them can be detected easily.
He reasoned that slum dwellers should be given subsidy in payment of power bills only after they make partial payment of the bill, as it is very difficult to recover money from such consumers.
{{/usCountry}}He reasoned that slum dwellers should be given subsidy in payment of power bills only after they make partial payment of the bill, as it is very difficult to recover money from such consumers.
{{/usCountry}}During April 2004 to February 2005 the scenario was more or less same, as 0.0404 per cent HT consumers contributed 48.05 per cent to the revenue of the Company while 99.95 per cent L-T consumers’ contribution to revenue of the Company was 51.94 per cent.