New Delhi, September 29, 2006

Press Release 

15 Ramleela organisers penalised for stealing over 1100 KW of electricity  

· Organisers of Ramleelas and Navaratna melas booked for stealing power

· Over 1100 KW of electricity was being used to power these functions 

The much awaited festive season is in. The season of fasting and prayers, of good triumphing over evil. It is also the season for Durga Pujas, Ram Leelas and melas. Unfortunately many organisers of such events steal electricity to illuminate their respective venues and nearby areas. In the run up to the festive season this year, organizers of over 160 such events have taken legal connections from BRPL and BYPL. The rest, sadly, go against the revered “good over evil” spirit of the season and are engaged in stealing electricity - unscrupulously. 

BSES Enforcement Teams are on a high alert and have constituted special teams to conduct random checks all over their licensed area. In the last 72 hours, BSES Enforcement Teams have caught 15 big Ramleelas and Navratra functions stealing cumulative power of over 1100 KW. Some of the Ramleelas and Navratra functions, taking place in Dilshad Gardens, Mayur Vihar II, Geeta Colony, Rani Garden, Kashmiri Gate, Karol Bagh, Shastri Nagar, Welcome Colony were caught stealing power ranging between 50 and 160 KW. Total cumulative penalties running into lakhs of rupees are being slapped against the organizers and Civil and criminal proceedings, as per the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act 2003 and the Indian Penal Code are being initiated against the organizers of these functions. 

“Residents and Organisers of such functions should avoid illegal tappings from overhead power lines. This directly affects the power supply in the area and unnecessarily overburdening the system and causes unscheduled outages in the area” said a BSES official. The official added “BSES officials had informed RWA’s and organizers of such functions to take legal temporary connections. Even the BSES’ bi-lingual / bi-monthly newsletter – Synergy – which is sent along with the bill to all our 23 lakh customers also informed the public about the need to take temporary connections” 

“BSES appeals to its customers not to steal power and take temporary connections for all such functions. BRPL and BYPL have made hassle free arrangements to organize these connections quickly “ said a BSES spokesperson. 

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: