Latest news with #ElectricityAct2003
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Power theft FIRs rise 20%: Adani Electricity files over 1,100 cases in a year; major raids target illegal power use in Mumbai
MUMBAI :Adani Electricity continued its campaign against electricity thefts in suburbs. In a latest media report, it announced filing 1,166 FIRs against electricity theft offenders in 2024-2025, showing an increase from 974 FIRs in 2023-2024 — rise of 20%. This enforcement led to a reduction in distribution losses to 4.70% in 2024-25 from 5.47% previously. The company executed 37,424 mass raids, a 41% rise from 26,628 raids in 2023-24. Enhanced surveillance resulted in 20% more FIRs and 44% increase in non-standard hour operations. Enforcement teams seized 61 tons of illegal wiring, identifying theft of 24 million units worth Rs. 45 crore. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Said Adani Electricity spokesperson : "Electricity theft creates unfair costs for legitimate consumers. Our enhanced enforcement demonstrates our commitment to consumer protection. We plan to strengthen these measures to achieve further reductions in losses." The spokesperson added: "We remain dedicated to delivering reliable, cost-effective power to Mumbai residents. Our success in reducing AT&C losses reflects effective theft prevention, protecting both infrastructure and consumer interests through competitive pricing." Under Section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003, electricity theft carries penalties including fines and imprisonment up to three years. Adani Electricity works closely with law enforcement for regular inspections and equipment seizures. 'Unauthorised power usage in densely populated areas strains existing networks, leading to increased maintenance requirements and equipment failures,' an official added. Few significant cases were detected in 2024-25: April 2024: Adani Electricity's Vigilance team discovered a construction company in Ghatkopar illegally drawing power directly from the meter incoming terminal. This led to a power theft case valued at Rs. 41 lakh. The discom registered an FIR against the customer at Pant Nagar Police Station, Ghatkopar. January 2025: In the second significant theft case, the Vigilance team apprehended a customer operating an adhesive manufacturing unit in Andheri using an unauthorized electricity connection. This resulted in power theft valued at Rs. 51.09 lakhs. An FIR was lodged against the customer at Kherwadi Police Station, Bandra. February 2025: The third case involved a customer in the printing, binding, lamination, and packaging industry in Andheri. This customer was found to be involved in power theft through meter tampering
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Outsourced workers slam Centre, Punjab govt for privatisation; stage sit-in outside PSPCL Patiala
Outsourced workers staged a sit-in protest opposite the head office gate of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in Patiala on Thursday. The protesters from Technical Services Union (Regd.) and the Coordination Committee of Powercom and Transco raised slogans and also held a march through the city streets. The protest was organised under the joint leadership of union leaders Krishan Singh Aulakh, Balihar Singh Kataria, Gurvinder Singh Pannu, Jagrup Singh and Balwinder Singh Saini. The union members were accompanied by their family members. Many farmer unions and labour unions too supported them. Notably, the power corporation has over 5,500 outsourced contractual staff who are on strike since July 1. Addressing the gathering, Kataria said 'under the imperialist-guided economic and industrial policies, the central and Punjab governments are implementing so-called economic reforms that in reality expand corporate loot through privatisation. All ruling parties are united in enforcing this anti-people privatisation agenda. In line with these imperialist policies, the Punjab government, by enforcing the Electricity Act 2003 and 2022, has accelerated the privatisation of the electricity corporation decades ago. They have withdrawn the Minimum Wages Act and imposed Deputy commissioner (DC) rates instead, and have replaced permanent recruitment with outsourced contractual hiring'. Sources revealed that to manage complaints, the PSPCL management, as part of their strategy, has recently issued orders at the division level to form special outsourced units to ensure uninterrupted supply of workforce during protests and strikes. The protesting workers rued that instead of making new permanent recruitments to address manpower shortages, more outsourced units are being made. 'This is not about providing uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers — it is a conspiracy to weaken the struggle against privatisation. It is a clear attempt to pit consumers and employees against each other to divide them,' Aulakh said. Kataria urged the electricity employees, farmers and labour unions to stand united at a time when their 'existence and livelihoods are at stake due to this disastrous privatisation drive'. Only through a common struggle can we save the electricity department and our jobs,' Kataria added. The union leaders also highlighted that the Punjab government has passed a resolution to implement changes in labour laws. Notably, any industry or factory employing fewer than 20 workers will now be exempt from the Factories Act. This decision empowers corporates to exploit workers more harshly, which the leaders strongly condemned. Agricultural labour leader Harbhagwan Moonak also condemned the attack on workers' rights, the protesters said. They further demanded that the work orders for outsourced contract workers — which expired on 30 June 2025 — should be renewed immediately, as workers are being harassed with uncertainty. Apart from the main unions, the protest was also addressed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal of the Bharti Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan, Harmesh Malri of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Hakim Singh Dhanetha of the Water Supply Sanitation Contract Workers Union, pensioners' leader Rajinder Kumar, Sher Singh Khanna of the Contract Morcha, and family members of workers Paramjit Kaur and Kamaljit Kaur. In their addresses, the union leaders called upon the protesters to fully prepare for the nationwide strike against privatisation on July 9.
Mint
20-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
ACME Solar inks pact with NHPC to supply 250 MW electricity to RE project in Rajasthan
ACME Solar Holdings on Friday said it has inked a pact with state-owned NHPC to supply 250 MW of electricity from a renewable energy project in Rajasthan. The power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed at a tariff of ₹ 4.56 per kWh for a minimum annual Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 40 per cent and to meet 90 per cent of peak power requirement of 4 hours daily, according to a company statement. ACME Solar Holdings Ltd (ACME Solar) signed a 25-year PPA with NHPC Limited, a AAA-rated central government enterprise, for its 250 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) project in Rajasthan, the company said. This PPA marks a significant step in strengthening ACME Solar's footprint in the FDRE space while supporting India's clean energy ambitions through an innovative mix of solar, wind, and battery storage technology. The project will be connected to an ISTS (Inter-State Transmission System) substation for which connectivity is already in place. The requisite approval under section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003 for adoption of tariff has been issued by CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) on June 19, 2025, the company said. With this, the company's PPA-signed portfolio stands at 5,130 MW, of which 2,826.2 MW is already operational, and the balance is under various stages of implementation. ACME Solar's overall portfolio comprises 86 per cent offtake with central government enterprises and the remaining 14 per cent with State discoms. The company is an integrated renewable energy player with a diversified portfolio of 6,970 MW spanning solar, wind, FDRE and hybrid solutions.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
KSEB reports 288 cases of power theft
T'puram: The KSEB anti-power theft squad conducted 31,213 inspections in the last financial year, uncovering 4,252 cases of electricity misuse and 288 cases of theft. A fine of Rs 41.14 crore was imposed in this regard. A criminal case was registered against one person for non-payment of the fine. "Electricity theft is a criminal offence. If detected, the electricity connection will be disconnected, a fine will be imposed, and a case will be filed under Section 135 of Electricity Act 2003, which is non-bailable. The punishment can be up to three years of imprisonment. If those involved in electricity theft voluntarily inform KSEB and pay the fine, they will be exempt from legal proceedings. However, there is only one opportunity to rectify such a mistake," it said. Information about electricity theft can be reported to KSEB's section offices, the state office of the anti-power theft squad at Thiruvananthapuram Electricity Bhavan, district offices, or over the emergency number 9496010101. "KSEB will reward those who provide information about electricity theft. Once the full fine amount is collected and any appeals are resolved, a reward of 5% of the excess amount collected, up to a maximum of Rs 50,000 will be given, excluding compounding charges. The details of the informant will be kept strictly confidential," the statement said.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- The Hindu
Vazhikkadavu boy's electrocution exposes dangers of power theft
The illegal electric trap set for wild boars at Vazhikkadavu, which claimed the life of a 15-year-old school boy and injured two others on Saturday late evening, has exposed the deadly danger lurking behind the clandestine use of electricity for criminal purposes, including the capture of wild boars. The culprits were found to have rigged a makeshift set-up using a gaff attached to a long bamboo pole to tap electricity from a single-phase overhead power line. They then channelled the stolen power through a long uninsulated cable directly into the canal water, targeting a spot where wild boars were likely to cross. 'We found that the live wire had been recklessly placed in the canal, posing a lethal threat to any living being that came into contact with the water,' a Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) employee told The Hindu. 'What we witnessed was no accident; it was a deliberate death trap set by someone with criminal intent,' he added. The five youngsters who went fishing in the canal late Saturday evening were unaware of the electric current lurking in the water. As three boys were electrocuted, their friends on the bank raised an alarm and raced for help. While Ananthu alias Jithu lost his life, local residents rescued Shanu Vijay and Yadu Krishnan and rushed them to hospital. Ananthu sustained burn injuries on his body reportedly after hitting the electric wire. The postmortem revealed that he died of electrocution. KSEB, in an official statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, condemned the attempts by some vested interests to blame the board for the tragedy. 'We have been repeatedly warning against such criminal power thefts. Blaming KSEB for the illegal actions of private individuals is reprehensible,' said the KSEB post. KSEB warned that unauthorised use of electricity for electric fencing was illegal under Section 135(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2003, and would be punishable with imprisonment up to three years and a fine. KSEB clarified that electric fences would be allowed for agricultural crop protection only with the approval of the Electrical Inspectorate. 'It must comply with IS 302-2-76 (1999) standards, using battery-powered energisers with impulse generators.'
