E-Paper
Hearing of three power theft cases on March 7
HEARING ON three cases of electricity theft by tampering of the meter would be held in the special court on March 7. All these cases are in evidence stage and one of the consumers who is proprietor of a famous plastic industry is likely to face music for the second time.
HEARING ON three cases of electricity theft by tampering of the meter would be held in the special court on March 7. All these cases are in evidence stage and one of the consumers who is proprietor of a famous plastic industry is likely to face music for the second time.
Talking to Hindustan Times, MP Western Region Electricity Distribution Company Vigilance Assistant Engineer Kamal Singh Soner said a case was filed against proprietor of a plastic factory at scheme number 71 in the special court last year whose hearing is on March 7. Bill amounting to Rs 6.58 lakh has been paid by the consumer.
He informed that fine imposed on first conviction is not less than three times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity but in case of second conviction there could be imprisonment for not less than six months which may extend up to six years besides fine not less than six times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity has to be paid by the consumer.
He further said that this consumer could get the case disposed of through compounding by paying Rs 17.60 lakh. The assistant engineer revealed that tampering with meter gives another advantage to industrialists as lower power consumption helps in showing lower production which in turn helps in saving several taxes besides reducing the cost of the product and making cost competitive in the market.
He disclosed that the consumers had opened the seal of meter and inserted additional circuit in it, which was controlled by a remote. Meter of this consumer was tested by engineer of Sems Company in presence of the consumer and was found tampered. Soner revealed that besides this another case is against a hospital at Aerodrome Road in which the meter was found tampered with.
In this case billing of Rs 99,000 has been done. However, the court will impose additional fine but the consumer can get the case disposed of through compounding by paying Rs 2.20 lakh. The third case is against a domestic consumer whose bungalow is at Race Course Road. In this case too meter seal was tampered and a bill of more than Rs 1 lakh was served.
