In a sweeping effort to combat power theft, the interim government launched a nationwide campaign on September 7, 2023. The results have been staggering, with over 10.7 million units of stolen electricity discovered within state-operated power distribution companies.
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A Surge in Uncovering Power Theft
Over the course of just six days, authorities uncovered a staggering 6,215 theft cases. This relentless pursuit of culprits led to the filing of 2,380 First Information Reports (FIRs), the arrest of 369 individuals involved in power theft, and the imposition of a hefty Rs441 million in fines.
Recovery Challenges
However, the path to justice and recovery has not been without its challenges. Authorities have succeeded in reclaiming only Rs162 million, representing a mere 36.7 percent of the total penalties imposed. It’s worth noting that over 90 percent of this recovered amount consists of arrears, with only 10 percent attributed to the actual stolen electricity.
Performance Highlights
Power Division Secretary Rashid Mahmood Langrial presented a detailed performance report covering the period from September 7 to 12. During this timeframe, 369 power thieves were apprehended, with the highest number of arrests recorded in the following distribution companies:
- Sukkur Electric Supply Company (140 arrests)
- Lahore Electric Supply Company (88 arrests)
- Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) (38 arrests)
- Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) (32 arrests)
- Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) (28 arrests)
- Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) (23 arrests)
- Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) (7 arrests)
- Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) (1 arrest)
Distribution Company Breakdown
Mepco topped the list with the highest number of theft cases at 1,602, resulting in 676 FIRs and 23 arrests. The stolen power amounted to a staggering Rs2.452 million units, leading to a fine of Rs101.7 million, of which only Rs11.4 million was successfully recovered.
Following closely, LESCO reported 1,414 theft cases, with 887 FIRs and 88 arrests. This involved power theft of 4.32 million units. While authorities imposed a penalty of Rs183.9 million, the actual recovery amounted to just Rs13.56 million.
Hesco reported 784 theft cases, resulting in 238 FIRs and 28 apprehensions, with a total stolen power volume of 1.056 million units. Authorities charged Rs29.92 million in penalties, but only managed to recover Rs4.0 million, in addition to collecting Rs40.6 million in arrears.
Qesco detected 569 theft cases, leading to 41 FIRs and 38 arrests, involving 418,000 units stolen. A fine of Rs20.1 million was imposed, with a recovery of Rs1.15 million.
Similarly, Sepco uncovered 527 cases, resulting in 122 FIRs and 140 arrests, involving 336,000 units of theft. Over Rs16 million in penalties were imposed, with a recovery of Rs2.87 million and an additional collection of Rs60.2 million in arrears.
Pesco reported 410 theft cases, leading to 322 FIR requests, 44 registrations, and 32 arrests. In Pesco’s jurisdiction, 271,000 units were stolen, resulting in a fine of Rs13.8 million and a recovery of Rs2.29 million.
Fesco identified 326 cases, requesting 324 FIRs, with 92 registered and one arrest. There was 874,000 units of theft, leading to a fine of Rs33 million, but the recovery was only Rs1.57 million.
Additionally, 197 cases of theft were pinpointed in Gepco’s jurisdiction, with 63 FIRs registered and seven arrests.
In Iesco, 187 cases emerged, with 57 FIR requests and 15 registrations, involving 346,000 units of power theft. Penalties of Rs14.73 million were imposed, of which Rs2.7 million were recovered, along with the retrieval of arrears amounting to Rs8.56 million.
In Tribal Electric Supply Company (Tesco), 82 cases of power theft were detected, with 30 FIR requests, no registrations, and no arrests, along with a power theft volume of 276,000 units. A total fine of Rs7.0 million was imposed, but only Rs0.72 million was recovered.
Regulatory Action
Meanwhile, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken strict notice of billing irregularities in Distribution Companies (DISCOs). A high-level committee has been established to assess company performance in light of recent discrepancies and other issues in DISCOs, with a report due within one month. The Authority has directed all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urgently resolve billing issues and provide relief to consumers. Based on the report, legal proceedings will be initiated against DISCOs issuing irregular bills.
This crackdown on power theft has revealed the extent of the problem and the challenges faced in recovering stolen electricity. The government’s commitment to addressing this issue is evident, and the action taken against DISCOs signifies a broader effort to ensure transparency and fairness in the power distribution sector.