New Delhi, November 1, 2006

Press Release

 

Power theft of 310 KW unearthed at Dhobi Ghat

 ‘Dhobi’ caught running  70 Presses, 20 Hydrogen Bulbs and over 40 bulbs on stolen power To be penalised Rs 1.88 crore

 

• In two separate Enforcement Raids, power theft amounting to over 550 KW unearthed – amounting to over Rs 2.5 crore in cumulative penalties
• A big Laundry establishment caught stealing 310 KW of electricity at Dhobi Ghat
• An illegal power distribution network stealing over 250 KW near Ajmeri Gate

 

In two separate cases recently, BSES Enforcement Teams unearthed power theft of over 550 KW, amounting to over Rs 2.5 crore in penalties. In one, power theft amounting to nearly 310 KW of power was unearthed at the Dhobi Ghat and in another; an illegal power distributor was caught stealing and distributing over 250 KW of power at Thomson Road, Basti Railway Colon, near Ajmeri Gate

 

(A)  Power theft of 310 KW unearthed at Dhobi Ghat, amounting to Rs 1.88 crore in penalties

 

Expensive designer clothes, which one normally gives to one’s neighbourhood dry cleaner for washing, dry cleaning and ironing often end up being pressed (ironed) and dry cleaned using stolen electricity. In this day and age, where every body, is trying to cut costs – can drycleaners and dhobis be far behind.

 

BSES unravelled this startling fact, during a raid at a Dhobi Ghat in Sat Nagar, Shanker Road. The ‘Dhobi’, Ashok Kumar – was found to be running a huge Laundry establishment consisting of 70 Presses, 20 Hydrogen lamps and over 40 Bulbs - spread in an area over 1500 meters But all this was running on stolen power. While, his sanctioned load was a measly 6 KW, the accused was found to be using nearly 310 KW of electricity – hooked from a nearby BSES LV main to run his establishment. According to people in the area, hotels, restaurants and other dry cleaners in the area and else where used to outsource their Laundry work to Ashok Kumar. A penalty of around Rs 1.88 crore is likely to be imposed on him.

 

(B) Illegal power distributor caught stealing and distributing over 250 KW of electricity, amounting to over Rs 60 lakh in penalties

 

A BSES Enforcement raid at T – 40 Thompson Road, Basti Railway Colony near Ajmeri Gate unearthed power theft of over 250 KW. Raja Ram Maurya – was found to be stealing and illegally distributing over 250 KW of electricity to 150 residents – with Voters ID cards living in the area. “The accused used to charge a flat rate of Rs 50 per month from each of the residents in the area” said a BSES official. A penalty of over Rs 60 lakh is likely to be levied against the accused. In this case also, the accused was stealing electricity by hooking from the nearby BSES LV mains.

 

According to a BSES spokesperson “In both the cases, action will be taken against the accused as per the provisions stated in the Indian Electricity Act 2003.”

 

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

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For further information please contact:

 

Prashant Dua	Chandra P Kamat
Corporate Communications	Corporate Communications
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