PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Action will be taken against those who steal electricity without any discrimination under the federal government’s national campaign against power theft, said Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar.
He added that a provincial taskforce has been set up to launch the campaign in the province. The taskforce will be headed by the energy secretary and will take measures to curb power theft, while also monitoring the performance of divisional and district committees formed for the same purpose.
Presiding over a meeting at Civil Secretariat on Saturday, the chief secretary maintained that power theft is not restricted to one single province or a specific area.
He said that there is a need to work with national spirit to overcome this menace. He directed divisional commissioners to fully support the district administration and the police in the drive against electricity theft.
He explained that first, action will be taken against those stealing power from industrial, commercial or high-end domestic connections. The chief secretary ordered the taskforce head Aamir Jan to devise a comprehensive plan to launch a crackdown on power thieves and start a campaign to enhance public awareness.
Power Division Secretary Irfan Ali informed the meeting that line losses and power theft are the main reasons behind circular debt. “In order to get rid of load shedding, we have to minimise line losses and power theft,” he expressed.
He added that steps are being taken to improve transmission lines and to introduce the latest technology. He directed the heads of power distribution companies to refrain from providing connections to defaulters.
He said that the support of all provincial governments was essential to make the drive against power theft successful. Addressing the complaints regarding departmental collusion, he said that action will be taken against such government employees.
He stated that power distribution companies will not be allowed to overbill customers. The meeting was attended by the industries secretary, the law secretary, CCPO Lahore, Commissioner Lahore Division, Additional IG Special Branch and the CEOs of power distribution companies attended the meeting.
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