Dimapur, August 2 (DIPR): The department of Power & Electricity conducted a surprise check on power theft in and around Dimapur District on July 27, 2011. A special District Task Force consists of the Power department, Police and District Administration led by Executive Engineer (E) Dimapur, Nitovi Wotsa raided houses in several colonies. Around 20 houses were found to be using the power supply illegally by way of meter by- passing and hooking.
Meanwhile, the Power department has set a seven-day deadline on payment of bills to those defaulters caught using through illegal means. Commissioner & Secretary (Power), L. Kire while speaking to the media persons at Dillai gate (Diphu Road) said that the Department is plagued by power theft, non- payment of bills and shortage of manpower due to which crores of rupees are losing annually. He said that during 2011-12 the State’s total energy consumption was RS 517 million units with urban areas consuming 437 million units and rural areas 80 million units. He said that the State government has allocated 160 Crores last year for power purchase to the department under non-plan; however, the internal revenue mobilized was only Rs 56 Crores, adding that the government has to put in another 27 Crores from power trading to cover the expenses. Expressing deep concern over the gulf between the expenditure and the income, the Commissioner said that such situation cannot be allowed to continue and in this regard, the department has to check illegal use of power consumption in the State including non-payment by consumers.
Kire also said that despite shortage of only 1948 manpower the concern department is doing commendable job in providing services to the consumers, also admitting shortcomings in the department, he said that the power department as a “Utility Department” in the State, the department is looking after generation, transmission and distribution whereas in other State, these were managed by separate department. The Commissioner said that to increase the man power and resources the department is in the process of creating new Division in the three Districts, Peren Longleng and Kiphire and the department would also set up additional counters in various District for receiving payments from consumers.
Meanwhile, the Power department has set a seven-day deadline on payment of bills to those defaulters caught using through illegal means. Commissioner & Secretary (Power), L. Kire while speaking to the media persons at Dillai gate (Diphu Road) said that the Department is plagued by power theft, non- payment of bills and shortage of manpower due to which crores of rupees are losing annually. He said that during 2011-12 the State’s total energy consumption was RS 517 million units with urban areas consuming 437 million units and rural areas 80 million units. He said that the State government has allocated 160 Crores last year for power purchase to the department under non-plan; however, the internal revenue mobilized was only Rs 56 Crores, adding that the government has to put in another 27 Crores from power trading to cover the expenses. Expressing deep concern over the gulf between the expenditure and the income, the Commissioner said that such situation cannot be allowed to continue and in this regard, the department has to check illegal use of power consumption in the State including non-payment by consumers.
Kire also said that despite shortage of only 1948 manpower the concern department is doing commendable job in providing services to the consumers, also admitting shortcomings in the department, he said that the power department as a “Utility Department” in the State, the department is looking after generation, transmission and distribution whereas in other State, these were managed by separate department. The Commissioner said that to increase the man power and resources the department is in the process of creating new Division in the three Districts, Peren Longleng and Kiphire and the department would also set up additional counters in various District for receiving payments from consumers.
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