LAHORE/GUJRANWALA: Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has arrested 10,540 electricity thieves during a 51-day campaign and registered cases against more than 20,000. The value of the stolen electricity is Rs1.8 billion.
LESCO spokesman said that 241 connections were found involved in electricity theft during the last 24 hours, out of which cases were registered against 142. The value of the units charged during 24 hours is Rs1.47 million.
The highest amount of stolen electricity was detected in Raiwand area where it was Rs296,000. In Patuki area, the amount was Rs286,840 and in Shahdara area, it was Rs275,000.
In Raiwind sub-division, LESCO authorities conducted an operation against electricity thieves and caught the owner of a flour mill stealing electricity from the direct supply of LESCO. The transformer and meter were removed from the spot and a registration case
was filed against the accused.
A fine of Rs8 lakh was also imposed on the owner of the flour mill. In Anarkali area, theft of electricity was caught in a cloth shop where the accused were stealing electricity by tampering with the meter. Two ACs were being run with the stolen electricity. The accused were charged 9,400 units as detection bill.
In Parana Kahna area, action was also taken against those stealing electricity. Four meters of low speed and a tamper were found in the area. Four people were caught stealing electricity by installing a swivel. Legal action is ongoing against all the accused.
GEPCO crackdown continue to combat power theft
A massive crackdown is being continued against electricity theft and defaulters across the region by the caretaker government to combat the alarming surge in power theft and to take stern actions against the culprits involved.
A GEPCO spokesperson talking to the PTV news channel said that GEPCO’s surveillance teams had successfully apprehended 30 more individuals involved in electricity theft through various operations.
He said that on the directives of the Federal Minister for Energy, the GEPCO had launched a crackdown against electricity thieves and their facilitators in all circles.
In addition to the arrests, heavy fines have also been levied on those found guilty of stealing electricity, he added.
The spokesperson further stated that formal petitions have been lodged with local police stations to initiate legal proceedings against these electricity thieves.
Electricity distribution companies across the country are running strict operations to combat electricity theft, including significant personnel changes, he mentioned.
Replying to a question, he also expressed confidence in the success of this government-led campaign, with the full dedication of officers and staff.
