New Delhi, January 8, 2007

Press Release

Attention! BSES to start a massive anti power theft campaign during peak hours at night

· Crackdown to first target high theft prone areas in East and Central Delhi

· Residents taking electricity from illegal power distributors will be treated at par with power thieves

· Since July 2002, over 100 power thieves in BSES area have been sent to Jail – collectively spending over 1160 man days behind bars

With night temperatures plummeting to less than 4 degrees in Delhi, the Winters are rather severe this year. People have stopped venturing out during the night. The favourite pass time these days is huddling inside quilts and blankets and sitting in front of electric heaters and blowers. Before you dive into your cosy quilt and switch on your electric heater – just ensure you are not using stolen electricity to stay warm and cosy. Electricity theft can prove to be a dampener this season. If you are caught stealing electricity, you will not only have to pay a heavy penalty, you may also have to face imprisonment of upto 3 years.

BSES is set to launch a massive anti power theft crackdown during night peak hours. The campaign will initially target the high power theft areas of East and Central Delhi. A total of 15 dedicated teams have been specially constituted for the purpose.

With the help of modern data mapping and capturing technologies including the recently completed Distribution Metering (DT Metering), BSES has identified pockets, where the incidence of power theft is high.

“The anti power theft crackdown during night peak hours will be in addition to the routine Enforcement Raids carried out on a daily basis. The need for constituting special teams for night hours has been necessitated as it has been observed that the incidence of power theft substantially increases during winter months”, said Arun Kanchan, CEO, BYPL and added “People indulging in power theft are requested, not to steal power and take legal bonafide connections”.

A company official cautioned those residents who have taken unauthorised connections from illegal power distributors. “Such residents will be treated at par with power thieves and penalised heavily – in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the Indian Electricity Act, 2003. Such customers are advised to take bonafide connections from BSES. These applications will be accorded top priority”, the official added.

The official further urged consumers to cooperate with BSES Enforcement officials and not to obstruct them from carrying out their duties. Consumers who obstruct BSES officials from performing their duties will invite legal action.

“Since July 2002, BSES’ crackdown has seen over 48,000 cases of power theft booked and unearthing an electricity theft load of over 2.8 lakh KW. Over 100 power thieves, who were sent to Jail for indulging in power theft, collectively spent over 1160 man days behind bars. BYPL and BRPL have also recovered around Rs 100 crore in penalties – levied for power theft” said a BSES official.

BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all its consumers.

_____________________________________________________________________________

For further information please contact:

Prashant Dua	Chandra P Kamat
Corporate Communications	Corporate Communications
39999870 / 9312007822	39999088/9350130304