SIKKIM POWER & ENERGY DEPARTMENT GETS CHARGED UP

POWER DEPT CARRY OUT SURPRISE CHECKS EFFORTS TO STOP POWER THEFT AND METER TAMPERING BY COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
GANGTOK: Close to the heels of the raids carried out against illegal use of commercial LPG cylinders in the State, the authorities have now turned their attention towards electricity thefts in the Capital.
The Energy and Power Department has under taken surprise raids in various commercial establishments in and around Gangtok to check for power thefts and meter tampering, which is quite rampant across the State, despite efforts of the Department to curtail this practice.
In the past two days, the Department officials have carried out surprise checks on nearly two hundred commercial establishments, mainly hotels in and around Gangtok. The raids were carried out without any prior notice.
AK Giri, Chief Engineer, Power Department informed that the surprise raids was carried out as per the guidelines of the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Loss (AT&C) under Indian Electricity Act 2003. He further informed as per the directions of the Ministry for Energy and Power, Government of India, every State has to reduce AT&C loss upto 15 percent. Stating that every State in India has an average AT&C loss of nearly 45 percent, Mr. Giri said that the surprise raids were aimed at reducing power thefts, illegal connections and other irregularities. 22 hotels were found to be violating power department norms during the raids, he said.
The raids, which started from Monday (May 28), were carried out at Tibet Road, Kazi Road, MG Marg, Development Area, Nam- Nang and Pani House areas. Mr. Giri informed that five groups were formed comprising of 8 members and headed by Superintendent Engineer (SE) of the Department. Various commercial establishments were found with irregularities in power connection and immediately, the Department discontinued the electricity supply of these defaulters. Fines with three months load assessments were also imposed. “This is a serious crime. All revenue collected through civil amenities goes to the State exchequer. By tampering with the meter and defaulting with electricity bills and arrears, people are depriving the State with valuable revenue. Such practices should stop,” Mr. Giri said.
The Department, determined to put a stop to such illegal practices, will carry out similar raids throughout the State. The Department has also appealed all the hoteliers to systematize their power connections immediately in order to avoid legal actions later.