Team Herald
PONDA: The Electricity Department has imposed a fine of Rs seven lakh on a bungalow owner in Khandola-Marcela for power theft, which was discovered after a meter reader reported low consumption.
The case was reported on October 28. The power theft assessment is learnt to be for a period of one year. The owner of the said bungalow was found to have allegedly bypassed the energy meter to steal electricity.
The department has issued a legal notice to the consumer, but his reply was not satisfactory. The department has warned that If the bungalow owner failed to pay the fine then the power supply will be disconnected. The average 300 units consumption per month was reported in the bungalow following an inspection by the department.
When contacted, Sudan Kuncolienkar, Executive Engineer at Curti-Ponda Sub Power Station, said, “This electricity consumer from Khandola-Marcela was found to be involved in power theft at his bungalow. During site inspection by the department engineer, it was revealed that the load was tapped by bypassing the energy meter intentionally. And to support this, there is photographic and videographic evidence. The Department had also issued legal notice to said consumer seeking clarification, but his reply was not satisfactory. A revised bill would be issued to the consumer for final assessment.”
Kuncolienkar said, “Department officials from time to time maintain a vigil on power consumption at various places across Ponda taluka."