Despite the Punjab Government’s provision of 600 units of free electricity to domestic consumers, rampant power theft persists, resulting in a staggering annual loss of Rs 1,000 crore. Data from Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) reveals a persistent challenge, particularly in Tarn Taran and Amritsar’s border areas.
While feeders experiencing theft decreased from 2,980 to 2,714, the severity of losses between 80 to 90 percent surged from one to 11. Alarmingly, Khemkaran in Tarn Taran Circle registers the highest loss at 84.97 percent, with Bhikhiwind and Patti among the worst affected.
Resistance to meter checks and the reluctance to shift meters outside homes hinder efforts to curb theft. VK Gupta of All India Power Engineers’ Federation cited strong resistance in Border and West zones.
The documents accessed by The Tribune highlight an increase in feeders with losses exceeding 50 percent, emphasizing the gravity of the issue.
PSPCL officials acknowledge 158 feeders in Border and West zones exceeding 60 percent losses, signaling the need for urgent intervention.
The Punjab Government and PSPCL are working to address this issue collaboratively, seeking community cooperation to mitigate power theft and ensure sustainable electricity distribution.
