Steps to make AP as “Energy theft- free State”

In order to  provide qualitative power supply at affordable cost to the general public, implement much more pro-consumer initiatives to protect the interest of genuine power consumers and minimize  the commercial Losses, the GoAP has initiated stringent steps to make A.P. as “Energy theft- free state”, which also paves the way overall economic development in the state.

To achieve this gigantic goal, the energy dept has formulated a five-point strategy as follows: Releasing of new meters by conducting special melas, even at remote villages, to encourage the consumers to apply for service connections which are being provided at a meager price of just Rs.125; Monitoring of 100% sealing of meters; Energy Audit of feeders at all voltage levels; Energy Audit of Corporations, towns and MHQs and bench marks to be fixed for losses; Intensive drives to be conducted by DPE and Operation staff.

Disclosing these details,  Ajay Jain, Principal Secretary (Energy, I&I, CRDA) who is going  to give a detailed presentation on loss reduction initiatives of power sector, to the Chief Minister during the Collectors’ Conference on May 25 and 26, has held a detailed review today along with Sri K Vijayanand, CMD/APTRANSCO & MD/APGENCO, Sri R Mutyalaraju, CMD/APEPDCL, HY Dora, CMD/APSPDCL, Ranganatham, Advisor, Energy, Dinesh Paruchuri, Director/Finance/APTRANSCO, Umapathi, JMD/Vigilance & Security/APTRANSCO, on various Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT& C) loss reduction measures implemented by the power utilities.

The prl.Secy, has instructed to put all out efforts for curtailing the theft of energy and improving metered sales which helps  in achieving the target of Single digit loss level set by Hon’ble C.M Sri.N.Chandrababu Naidu, who is determined to provide World class power supply to the general public. We should strive hard to achieve this target, duly improving revenue collection efficiency in every nuke and corner of the State, with special focus on cities, commercial & high value services, apart from improving infrastructure for technical loss reduction, said Sri Ajay Jain. 

            During the review, JMD/Vigilance & Security/APTRANSCO, Sri Umapathi, who has submitted a special report on energy theft, indicating that around Rs.50 Crs of revenue was lost due to theft during last two years, has appraised that the power utilities have conducted several special drives for curbing the theft and a Detection of Pilferage of Energy (DPE) Wing and Anti-Power Theft Squad Police Stations (APTS PSs) were established in each district to curb pilferage of energy.

            Appreciating the efforts of P. Umapathi, IPS, JMD(Vigilance & Security) and his team for their sincere efforts in curtailing the pilferage to the maximum extent, the Prl Secy has said that, the state Govt. is providing free power to the Agricultural services incurring an expenditure of around Rs.3000Crs, free power to SC&ST domestic consumers (having monthly consumption of below 50 units) for an amount of Rs.80Crs per annum and the utilities are spending on an average Rs.5.33 per unit to supply power.  Hence, the consumers should voluntarily come forward to avail authorized service connections and contribute for increase in revenue collection, so as to enable the utilities to implement further more pro-consumer programmes. Wide range of consumer awareness campaigns has to be taken up by the officials in this regard, appealed Ajay Jain. (NSS)