THE government has decided to allow electricity distribution companies (Discos) to confiscate electric appliances and equipment besides imposing heavy penalties like ‘detection bills’ equivalent to five years of power consumption against consumers and premises found in electricity theft to make up for the energy losses. The proposal would be implemented after its approval by NEPRA and it also envisages removal of multiple connections and separate electricity meters on residential premises that do not have direct and separate entrances from the main roads, first allowing the consumers to voluntarily apply for one Time-of-Use (TOU) meter at one house with single entry to be followed by compulsory removal along with costs.
These are welcome initiatives that have the potential to bring down the incidence of power theft and increase revenues of the discos. This is important in view of the concerted reports that some unscrupulous elements use sophisticated devices to temper meter reading besides kunda crime in almost all parts of the country with varying degrees. As for disconnection of more than one meter, it has the potential to harass consumers unnecessarily as the majority of those having two or more connections have done so because they have rented out their properties to different families. It must be ensured that this point is not used to add to the miseries of the consumers. It is also time that apart from anti-theft measures and steps to increase revenues of the discos, substantive plans should be devised to reform discos. Solarization has the potential to alleviate sufferings of both the consumers and the government and, therefore, an elaborate solar energy policy should be devised to encourage more and more homes and business houses to shift to solar power.
