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JULY-SEPTEMBER, 2002VOL. 3
NO.3 West Bengal which is deemed to be the surplus-power state of the country has gone through many reform programmes within its existing structure and without going for privatisation. The power sector in West Bengal still has been entangled with many problems, out of which theft and pilferage of power being one of the main areas caused WBSEB to bear an annual loss of Rs 700-800 crore. This is a very common problem and WBSEB alone can not totally eradicate it without the support of the opinion leaders, administration, customers and the people of the state in general. Unless this menace of theft is substantially reduced, there is no alternative to make the organization commercially viable. Experience tough that provisions covered in the existing Indian Electricity Act were not enough till recently to punish the power thieves befittingly and the existing law could not be operated to bring the anti-social elements indulged in power theft to book. The state government in a bid to bring about more stringency in the laws relating to energy theft, passed the Indian Electricity (West Bengal Amendment ) Act-2001 in the state Legislative Assembly. Thereafter the consent of the President of India was obtained. The new revised Act came in force on 15 July 2002. But before promulgation of the amended act it was felt necessary to create adequate awareness among the masses so that a positive public opinion could be mobilised against this social evil like theft of energy by a section of the people. The Power Minister started discussions at all level. He sought the help of the Zilla Sabhadhipatis and the Officials in district administrations and all other people’s representatives of the state. He met the press and the members of electronic media and explained the steps the Government was likely to take against the ever increasing threat of power theft in the state. He also elaborated the provisions of the new Act to the Press. The appeal of the Chief Minister of West Bengal in this regard was also distributed to the press people. All the power utilities including WBSEB, CESC Limited, DPL and Dishergarh Power Supply Company came forward to jointly launch massive anti-energy theft campaign. The WBSEB through a massive drive publicised anti-theft campaign utilizing all available vehicles of the media like posters, banners, leaflets, wall writings, audio cassettes, newspaper advertisements and also audio visual campaign through Radio and TV etc. for a prolonged period. It was through a state-wide Padayatra with colourful tableaux, posters, festoons, banners etc. containing different messages on power theft, WBSEB observed the Anti-Energy Theft Day on 13 July. WBSEB’s 37,000 employees irrespective of unions and associations forgetting their political ideologies and differences of opinions, spontaneously responded to such Padayatras organized in their respective working places. The event of such a kind was perhaps for the first time organized by an utility services organization like WBSEB. The Board thus convincingly attracted people of the state in such Padayatras organized everywhere in the state involving consumers, opinion leaders, people’s representatives, celebrities, famous sports and cultural personalities and even the members of the media people. While the State Electricity Regulatory Commission did not allow more than 27% T&D loss, the State Government had to sign the MOU with the Central Govt. for bringing down the loss to 0 : 0 balance position within a period of only three years. The actual position tells other story. The present level of ATC loss in WBSEB remains at about 41%. But the picture at present is not so gloomy since certain impact could be noticed soon after the revised Act came in force. Recently the Union Power Secretary visited the state and lauded the state of West Bengal for bringing out Indian Electricity ( West Bengal Amendment ) Act-2001 from 15 July 2002. From the period of 15 July till recently about 2000 raids were conducted resulting in lodging of 312 nos. of FIR and 73 nos. of arrests. The Union Power Secretary complemented the efforts of WBSEB in this regard and advised to implement the Act more vigoriously to get the desired effect. He further stated that if the desired success is achieved by this Act, it would replicated through out the country. Salient Points of the Amended Act On
15th July 2002 the West Bengal Government has put into effect the
“Indian Electricity (West Bengal Amendment) Act 2001” as a measure against
rampant theft of energy and electrical lines and materials. This amendment has
been under the existing laws on electricity of the country in contrary to any
other reform law as now seen in different other states. - Imprisonment upto 5 years or fine upto Rs.50,000/- or both for committing offences under this law. - Onus of proof lying on the offender - In case of detection of energy theft, power line disconnection to any premises will be done without any notice. - Utility officials can enter any premises for search and seizure without any prior notice. - For committing offence more than one time will debarred the offender to draw any power from any sources for next two years. - For abettors in addition to punishment of imprisonment and fine, there are provision of cancellation of professional licences or permits, if any. - For first offence there is provision of compounding also. - Provision of special court for speedy trial of both criminal and civil liabilities. - Provision of Electricity Utility Protection Force with power of Police Station for captive use of this force against energy theft by the utilities. |
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