Power utility’s drive against theft slows down, recovery falls by 40%

The crackdown on power theft in the Faridabad operation circle of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has witnessed a significant slowdown this year. According to data, inspections, detections, penalties and the recovery of fines have dropped by an average of 31%, while penalty recovery has plummeted by 40.69% compared to the same period last year (2023-24).

According to official records, the department recovered only Rs 9.24 crore in penalties by January 31, 2025, against Rs 15.58 crore recovered in the corresponding period last year. The Faridabad operation circle, which currently has over 6.76 lakh connections, detected 8,046 cases of power theft between April 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Despite imposing penalties totalling Rs 24.08 crore, only Rs 9.24 crore has been recovered so far.

In contrast, during the same period in 2023-24, the department inspected 11,128 connections, detected 4,912 cases of power theft and imposed penalties worth Rs 33.41 crore. Out of this, Rs 15.59 crore was successfully recovered. For the entire 2023-24 financial year, the total penalty imposed stood at Rs 39.97 crore, while Rs 20.41 crore was collected.

The Faridabad operation circle is divided into four divisions: Faridabad, Greater Faridabad, Ballabhgarh and Old Faridabad. Among these, Greater Faridabad recorded the highest number of power theft cases in the past 10 months, with 1,376 cases detected, attracting a penalty of Rs 76.84 lakh. The area includes numerous unauthorised colonies, which contribute to a high rate of power theft.

However, in the 2023-24 financial year, Ballabhgarh division recorded the highest penalties imposed, with 1,966 cases detected in 12 months. In contrast, Faridabad division, which consists largely of urban residential sectors, reported the lowest number of theft cases.

The decline in the effectiveness of the anti-power theft drive has been attributed to the Lok Sabha and Haryana Assembly elections, which occupied nearly seven months of the year, diverting administrative attention and resources.

Superintending Engineer Jitender Singh Dhull acknowledged the slowdown but assured that the crackdown on power theft and recovery of pending dues has now been intensified. “The drive has been stepped up against thefts and for the recovery of pending dues from offenders and defaulters,” he stated.