TAKING A serious note of rampant power theft in the State, Energy Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav today directed the UPPCL management to terminate services of or lodge FIRs against those employees who were found conniving with consumers in power pilferage. He also asked them to outrightly invoke the National Security Act against gangs involved in theft of electricity wires.
The minister was presiding over a meeting with the top UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) officials at Shakti Bhawan, here on Friday. He said big industrial establishments and cold storages were pilfering power in a big way in active connivance of the departmental officers/employees, while line-men were promoting katia culture in the State.
The minister said that commissioners and DMs had also been directed to have meetings with traders and other common consumers to dispose of their complaints and effectively contain power theft.
He directed officials to come out with a one-time settlement scheme for urban consumers as well.
Principal Secretary (Energy) and UPPCL Chairman AK Khurna told the minister that services of two power officials were being terminated for their proven involvement in power theft. He said power theft was especially rampant in Ballia, Chandauli, Robertsganj, Maharajganj and Amroha where revenue realisation was also very poor while the problem of theft of electricity wires was most rampant in Unnao district.
He said the DM, Lucknow would soon call a meeting with city traders to sort out their problems.
{{/usCountry}}He said the DM, Lucknow would soon call a meeting with city traders to sort out their problems.
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