Morung Express News
September 20
DIMAPUR: The Power Department has appealed to consumers to utilize power responsibly while keeping in mind the obstacles faced by genuine consumers due to power theft. In a press communiqué issued by Temjen Toy Commissioner and Secretary, Power, informed that many avoidable disruptions of power supply were caused by improper use of electricity by both authorized consumers and non-customers. “Power is a critical infrastructure and its efficient performance is dependent on a healthy power transmission and distribution system. Non-judicious use of power and theft or pilferage of power by adopting improvised methods greatly affects the health of the system” stated the communiqué. It held unauthorized and illegal use, whether by regular consumers or non-customers, for overloading causing either a temporary disruption or else a prolonged major shutdown of power supply due to breakdown of transformers and related system-installation. The Commissioner also reminded that Transformer-capacity is decided on the basis of the number of consumers and their authorized allotment of power. Loading a transformer in excess of its capacity, results in damage to the transformer, it added.
Stating that consumers, particularly from the urban areas, increase their power load by adding more points, installing unauthorized extensions and connections without approval from the Department, it stated that excess drawing of power is effected as against the authorized quantity provided in the agreement. “Some consumers intentionally tamper with energy meters to under-register the consumption. Tampering and making the energy meters non-functional greatly contributes towards loss of power, besides disturbing the health and stability of the system” it informed.
It also stated that rampant and haphazard construction of buildings and structures in the vicinity of transformers and distribution lines without maintaining the minimum vertical and horizontal clearances as required under the rules, have resulted in serious accidents and have also caused “avoidable inconveniences” to the public through power disruption.
Reminding that the Power Department was aware of its obligations and responsibility to maintain efficient power supply, it assured that every possible step to fulfill requirements were being undertaken. “Some measures of success have already been achieved towards detection of power thefts and the offenders have been either penalized with heavy fines and/or arrested as per provision of the law” the Communiqué stated.
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