Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The state power distribution utility recently started a crackdown on power theft in the fringe areas of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.Over the past three weeks, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has unearthed as many as 86 cases of power theft and tampering with meters on the outskirts of Waluj, Narayanpur, Jogeshwari and Naregaon areas.Public relations officer of the MSEDCL (Aurangabad zone) Dnyaneshwar Ardad said offences have been registered against individuals drawing electricity in an unauthorised manner.Majority of offenders are residential consumers and they would be subjected to police action as per instructions from the MSEDCL brass. The drive against power theft would be escalated in the coming days, he said. Saying that drawing power in an illegal manner is a highly unsafe practice, the state power utility officials said it is one of the main reasons for transformer failures. Drawing power using metal hooks from overhead power cables puts additional load on the transformers and distribution network. It can lead to power outages affecting the honest consumers, the authorities said. As per the Electricity Act, 2003, theft of electricity is a punishable offence with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years or a fine or both. Meanwhile, the MSEDCL on Thursday said it has detected 10 cases of power theft in Pimpalgaon village of Phulambri taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. An offence has been registered against the errant consumers at Chikalthana police station.We also published the following articles recentlyPower theft of over Rs 1 crore unearthed at resort in Mumbais western suburbsAdani Electricity exposed power theft exceeding Rs 1 crore at a farm house and resort on Manori-Marve Road this week. The investigation revealed alleged electricity theft not only for the resort but also for the owners bungalow on the premises. This marks the third case of significant power theft exceeding Rs 1 crore detected by the Adani vigilance team since June. An Adani Electricity spokesperson emphasized that power theft burdens honest consumers and announced a special vigilance drive to inspect resorts, hotels, and commercial establishments in the Manori, Gorai, and Mira Bhayandar areas. The aim is to intensify efforts and reduce distribution losses in the region this year.These areas of Trichy to face power shutdown on SaturdayPower supply in Trichy city will be suspended on Saturday (December 2) due to monthly maintenance work at the EB Road substation. Several areas, including Gandhi Market, Manimandapam Road, Vellamandi Road, Krishnapuram, Chinnakadai Street, NSB Road, Super Bazaar, Big Bazaar Street, Maduram Ground, Bharathiyar Street, Butterworth Road, Andar streets, Rockfort, Babu Road, Kurinji College, Town station, Viswas Nagar, AP Nagar, Lakshmipuram, and Ukkadai, will face a power shut down from 9.45am to 4pm. Consumers can contact the toll-free helpline 94987-94987 for electricity distribution complaints.Fraudulent disconnection messages continue to haunt power consumersTwo years on, consumers in Goa continue to receive fraud messages threatening power disconnection unless they call a fake helpline number. The scammers now use fake notices with logos of 75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and G20 Summit. The electricity department has warned consumers not to fall prey to these messages and has provided a toll-free helpline. However, consumers believe that central agencies should be involved in addressing this issue. Benaulim-resident Rahul Chandawarkar received a suspicious message and urges the Goa electricity department and Goa police to take action with central government counterparts.

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