New Delhi, February 14, 2006

Press Release

Another SPD contractor caught red-handed

Slapped penalty of Rs 1.30 crore for power theft

• BSES’s anti power theft drive against Big Fish and contractors intensified
• SPD contractor fined Rs 1.30 crore for stealing 325 KW of power
• In another daring raid at Dallupura – a 50-member-contingent involving 20 policemen, 25 security guards and 5 BYPL Enforcement officials – power chors penalised for Rs 18 lakh
• BYPL identifies over 150 highly theft prone areas
• Karkardooma Court rejects anticipatory bail for one, penalises another for Rs 1.63 lakh

In pursuant of its Zero Tolerance policy, BSES has further intensified its enforcement drive against those who steal electricity. In the past few days, BSES has successfully nabbed another Single Point Delivery (SPD) contractor and removed illegal wires and hooks in Dallupura area of East Delhi, despite stiff opposition from angry locals.

BSES’s drive against power thieves received a further fillip when the Karkardooma Metropolitan Court rejected the anticipatory bail of a power thief and penalised yet another for Rs 1.63 lakh. “We welcome the court orders and also appeal to the consumers at large to assist BSES eradicate the menace of power theft in the city,” said Mr Lalit Jalan, BSES Director, while appreciating the assistance provided by Delhi Police.

(A) In the first case, on February 13, BYPL Enforcement Team caught one Mukesh, a SPD contractor, at 72, Anna Nagar in East Delhi. He was stealing and illegally supplying electricity from an already disconnected meter by tapping into the nearby BSES LV mains. This particular SPD contractor was permitted to supply electricity to about 1,000 houses in the area and collect money from the residents on behalf of BYPL.

According to a BSES spokesperson, “The SPD contractor was caught red handed. He was stealing and illegally supplying 325 KW of electricity. A penalty of Rs 1.30 crore has been slapped on the accused. Strict action would be taken against him as we have already lodged a FIR.” The spokesman said that Mukesh’s SPD meter was disconnected about five months ago on account of non payment of electricity dues. Mukesh, however, continued to collect money from the residents of the area.

“It is surprising that even SPD contractors steal power. This is the second SPD contractor to be caught stealing electricity in recent weeks. BSES would take stern action, including cancellation of agreement, if SPD contractors are found violating the agreement or resorting to illegal activities and cheating,” the spokesman said. When BSES took over distribution, there were around 480 SPD contractors, now just about 200 remain. The spokesman appealed to the consumers to get into the company’s direct billing network and not get fleeced by unethical SPD operators.

(B) In another case, a strong contingent comprising 50 personnel (20 Policemen, 25 Security guards and 5 BYPL Enforcement Team members) raided the notorious and impenetrable area of Dallupura in East Delhi. The raids at Dallupura took weeks of planning as Dallupura is an area known for its nefarious activities. Earlier attempts to raid the area proved futile due to stiff opposition from the residents.

At Dallupura, 10 cases of power theft – worth almost 45 KW, amounting to Rs 18 lakh – were detected. Seven people were booked for direct theft and three cases of meter tampering were detected. The meters were either burnt down or “stopped”.

(C) Meanwhile, in a welcome development, the Karkardooma Metropolitan Court came down heavily on the power thieves. In a recent judgement, the Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Bhagawan Mittal, R/o 27/44, GF, Gali No 7, Vishwas Nagar, Shahdara, who had been apprehended by a BYPL Enforcement Team for indulging in direct theft of power.

In another case - “State Vs Kishori Lal” – the Metropolitan Judge found the 75 year old accused guilty for power theft and directed him at pay over Rs 1.63 lakh in penalty within a month, failing which, the accused shall undergo Simple Imprisonment of one year.

Said Mr Arun Kanchan, CEO, BYPL: “We have upped our ante on power theft in BYPL area. BYPL is shortly launching a high decibel power theft awareness campaign in 150 theft prone areas in East Delhi, including Purani Seemapuri Jwala Nagar, Ajeet Nagar, Trilokpuri among others.”

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