Shillong, June 25: The Meghalaya Power Department has intensified its drive against electricity theft across the state while also constituting a committee to examine complaints raised by SAI Computer Ltd, Commissioner and Secretary in-charge of Power Sanjay Goyal said on Thursday.
Addressing reporters, Goyal said the department’s investigation wing carries out routine inspections every day across Meghalaya to detect and curb illegal electricity connections.
“We have an investigation wing, not only in Garo Hills but across the entire corporation. These inspections are conducted as a routine daily activity,” he said.
He stressed that while electricity theft is not widespread, it causes significant financial losses to the power utility and places an unfair burden on honest consumers.
“This is a direct loss to the corporation. Genuine consumers suffer because of these illegal practices carried out by a few people,” Goyal said.
He said the department is taking action wherever violations are detected under the provisions of the Electricity Act.
“It is not a common practice, but wherever it occurs, we are mandated to act under the law. The Electricity Act allows us to take action against individuals involved in electricity theft, which is illegal,” he said.
According to Goyal, illegal power connections not only reduce the corporation’s revenue but also increase the financial burden on legitimate consumers.
“It brings losses to the corporation and, at the same time, adds financial pressure on genuine consumers because someone has to bear the impact,” he said.
He added that the department regularly detects such cases through its investigation wing and recovers losses by issuing compensation bills to offenders.
“We continue checking these illegal activities, raise compensation bills, and people pay them as well,” he said.
The department has appealed to the public to report instances of electricity theft to help improve service quality and prevent unnecessary financial burdens on law-abiding consumers.
Meanwhile, Goyal said the department has constituted a committee headed by the Chief Engineer, West Zone, to investigate complaints raised by SAI Computer Ltd.
“We have set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Engineer, West Zone. Let us await the report,” he said.
He said preliminary feedback from the Chief Engineer indicated that some of the issues appeared to be linked to local power supply conditions, adverse weather and billing-related matters.
“What I have been told by the Chief Engineer recently is that some of the issues were related to power supply because of local conditions, weather and certain billing issues,” Goyal said.
Assuring consumers that their concerns would be addressed, Goyal said the committee would examine all grievances before making recommendations.
“Let the committee examine what kind of problems consumers are facing. We are here to help consumers, and any issues raised by them will definitely be taken into account and resolved,” he said.
The Power Department said appropriate action would be taken after the committee submits its report.
