Sukkur tops in kunda connection cases across country

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy was informed on Wednesday that there were 1,389,184 cases of electricity cable hooking, locally called the kunda connections, in the country, with the highest number of such connection were found in the Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) area.

The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, received a briefing on electricity theft from the direct line (kunda system) and by meter tampering in various regions. The committee was informed that Sepco alone detected 593,913 cases of cable hooking.

The committee was informed that at present Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) had recorded 48,823 cases; Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) 277,793; Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) had 105,856; and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) found 803 such connections.

The committee chairman expressed annoyance as to why was it taking too long to eliminate the ‘kunda culture’. He called for developing a comprehensive mechanism to curtail the rampant practice. In the next meeting, the committee will examine the details of power pilferage at the district level.

The committee expressed annoyance over the non-issuance of the advertisement for the post of managing director of the Genco Holding Company Limited (GHCL). Committee member Behramand Tangi said that if there was a commitment, it must be fulfilled.

The energy secretary informed the committee that the recommendation in this regard had been sent to the board, which had been reconstituted recently. He added that a board meeting was scheduled on September 3, the matter was on its agenda.