BKU leader fined Rs 78,000 for power theft

Satish Seth

Kaithal, January 14

The UHBVN on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 78,393 on Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) state general secretary Bhura Ram Pabnawa for power theft. A team had raided his house at Pabnawa village three days ago and found him stealing power directly from the line.

According to Somveer Singh, Executive Engineer (XEN), Pundri, the power connection of Bhura Ram was disconnected and the meter removed in January 2013, as he owed Rs 34,294 to the department.

Since then he had no legal connection at his residence. On receiving a complaint, a power board team led by SDO Kuldip raided his house three days ago and found him stealing power.

Meanwhile, according to information, villagers assembled in Pabnawa and criticised the raid at the BKU leader’s house. They challenged the power board officials to visit their village with prior information and face the music. On the other hand, Bhura Ram alleged that the officials who conducted the raid misbehaved with his family members, including women.

He said that when the board had extended the time limit of the interest waiver scheme, the raid was not justified. The XEN said the board had been organising camps to educate villagers about the department’s schemes launched for consumers and raids to detect power thefts would continue.