Cracking down on the menace of power theft, the vigilance branch of the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) imposed fines of up to ₹2.59 crore between September and December 2022 after inspecting 10,908 power installations. A total of 1,781 cases were registered in the eight districts under BESCOM’s jurisdiction, while 1,721 cases have been disposed of.
The authorities have also taken measures to recover the pending dues in the last few months. “Taking strict steps to collect dues, Bescom has collected ₹358.3 crore out of the pending amount of ₹1,417.45 crore. Bescom has also disconnected 23 lakh installations for non-payment of dues,” said Mahantesh Bilagi, managing director, Bescom.
In addition, after inspecting 2,373 meters between September and November, meter staff members imposed fines of nearly ₹7 crore on offenses such as misuse of tariffs, overloads and related violations. The authorities have so far collected ₹5 crore in fines. “Additionally, field officers also registered 4,784 cases in connection with power theft, tariff violations and imposed fines of ₹6.5 crore,” Mr. Bilagi said.
The BESCOM vigilance wings function in 11 teams at Rajajinagar, Jayanagar, Indiranagar, Malleswaram, Hoskote, Ramanagaram, Tumakuru, Kolar, Chikballapur, Davanagere and Chitradurga headed by Superintendents of Police and Executive Engineers with 11 Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors.