Electricity Theft: A Menace | 39 Consumers Caught Stealing by LESCO

Developing countries like Pakistan are facing Electricity theft or non-technical loss (NTL) during the transmission of electricity. Also, it is one of the many problems that need to be addressed and resolved by the government.

According to a survey, 80% of worldwide electricity stealing takes place in private homes and 20% on industrial and commercial premises.

In reality, utility companies are finding it hard to catch the people involved in the theft of electricity.

Electricity Theft Report

Recently, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), a government body, supplying electricity to the districts of Lahore, Okara, Sheikhupura, Nankana, and Kasur in Pakistan detected electricity theft.

Additionally, 29 consumers were found stealing electricity from the main 11kV distribution lines with illegal connections.

Hence, this led to irregularity in the direct supply of electricity in areas of Gulshan-e-Ravi, Burg Attari, Shahalam Gate, GT Road, Qila Muhammadi, Amin Park, Rachna Town, Sanda, Bund Road, Faizpur, Jia Musa, Faizpur, Karim Park, Sheranwala Gate, Bilal Gang and Chahmiran.

Under its campaign to detect electricity theft, LESCO submitted 39 FIRs and announced, issued, and disclosed a bill of 75,319 units.

Multiple search operations were carried out by LESCO teams, led by the executive engineers and sub-divisional officers from the Nankana Circle, to find the stealing of electricity in the Bucheki division.

Additionally, they made visits in Bisdhar, Jag Chak, Cheeru, Maura, Attari Chakar, City Bucheki, Fida Abad, Pindi Cheeri, Kot Nausher, Malik Mauj, Kot Namdar, Syedwala, Halla Syedan, Morr Khunda, and Gaon Bara Ghar.

Additionally, the teams cut down the power supply to the stealers and charged them 53,240 units.

Consequently, a spokesperson from LESCO told that FIRs have been submitted in the respective police stations by the teams.

Causes and Treats of Electric Power Theft

1. What are the causes of electricity theft?

Some reasons have been pointed out:

1. Absence of accountability
2. Poor enforcement of laws against stealers of electricity
3. Political instability
4. Unemployment
5. Unequal distribution of wealth and income
6. Inflation or rising prices of different commodities
7. Corruption

Of course, the stealing of electricity poses some threats to the country which are as follows:

1. Poor quality of electric supply
2. Reduced earnings from electricity sale
3. Load on the stations generating electricity
4. Increased tariffs or bills on paying users Report

Effective Measures to Reduce or Prevent Theft of Electricity

To reduce or eliminate the ill-effects of stealing electricity, smart meters, harmonic generators, filter circuits, and external control stations have been specifically designed. Certain managerial methods, such as monitoring and inspection can help. Also, a reduction in electricity bills will work out.

On a larger scale, the government along with its working bodies needs to take effective measures to eliminate the causes of electricity theft mentioned above.

Conclusion

Electricity theft imposes a great burden on the economy, businesses, and end-users. It is by whatsoever means costly. This is quite clearly a management problem or more appropriately would be a problem of mismanagement.

Advancements in technology require effective use of electricity and at the same time a check and a constant eye on its consumers.

This requires a vital role to be played not only by the government but also by the loyal citizens of the country to check and report back.