Criminal Offences and Procedure
Theft of energy.
Whoever dishonestly abstracts, consumes or uses any energy shall be deemed to have committed theft within the meaning of the Indian Penal Code (XLV of 1860) ; and the existence of artificial means for such abstraction shall be prima facie evidence of such dishonest abstraction.
Penalty for maliciously wasting energy or injuring works
Whoever maliciously causes energy to be wasted or diverted, or, with intent to cut off the supply of energy, cuts or injuries, or attempts to cut or injure, any electric supply-line or works, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Penalty for unauthorised Supply of energy by non-licensees -
Whoever, in contravention of the provisions of section 28, engages in the business of supplying energy shall be punishable with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, and in the case of a continuing contravention, with a daily fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.
Penalty for illegal or defective supply or for non-compliance with order
Whoever,-
- Being a licensee or a person who has obtained the sanction of the State Government under section 28 to engage in the business of supplying energy to the public, save as permitted under section 27 or section 51 or by his licence or, as the case may be, by the conditions of sanction, supplies energy or lays down or places any electric supply-line or works outside the area of supply.
- Being a licensee or person who has obtained the sanction of the State Government as aforesaid, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of the rules thereunder, or in breach of the condition of licence or of the sanction, as the case may be, and without reasonable excuse, the burden of which shall lie on him, discontinues the supply of energy or fails to supply energy.
- Makes default in complying with any of the provisions of an order or of any notice or requisition issued under section 5 or section 6 .
- Makes default in complying with any directions issued to him under section 22A .
- Makes default in complying with any order issued to him under section 22B, or subjection (2) of section 34.
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees,and in the case of a continuing offence or default, with a daily fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.
Penalty for illegal transmission or use of energy
Whoever in contravention of the provisions of section 30, transmits or uses energy without giving the notice required thereby, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, and, in the case of a continuing offence ,with a daily fine which may extend to fifty rupees.
Penalty for interference with meters or license for improper use of energy
Whoever,-
- Connects any meter referred to in section 26, sub-section(1),or any in meter, indicator or apparatus referred to sub-section (7), with any electric supply-line through which energy is supplied by a licensee or disconnects the same from any such electric supply-line.
- Lays or causes to be laid, or connects up any work for the purpose of communicating with any other works belonging to a licensee.
- Maliciously injures any meter referred to in section 26,sub-section(1) or any meter ,indicator or apparatus referred to in section 26, sub- section (7), or wilfully or fraudulently,alters the index of any such meter, indicator or apparatus, or prevents any such meter, indicator or apparatus from duty registering;
- Improperly uses the energy of a licensee.
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees and, in the case of a continuing offence, with a daily fine which may extend to fifty rupees ; and [if it is proved that any artificial means exist] for making such connection as is referred to in clause (a) on such communication as is referred to in clause (b) or for causing such alteration or prevention as is referred to in clause (c) or for facilitating such improper use as is referred to in clause (d)[ and that] the meter, indicator or apparatus is under the custody or control of the consumer, whether it is his property or not [it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved,] that such connection, communication, alteration, prevention or improper use , as the case may be , has been knowingly and wilfully caused by such consumer .
Penalty for extinguishing public lamps
Whoever maliciously extinguishes any public lamp shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to Six months, or with fine which may extend three hundred rupees or with both.
Operation to save electricity theft :
- At thermal and hydro power stations electronic metres to be installed to know the accurate amount of power generated.
- At 33 k.v sub stations metering facility is provided at incoming and outgoing feeders to have energy balancing.
- Electronic metres will installed at customer with more than hundred horse power.
- Katia connections will be regularised. In year 2000 to 2001 twelve thousand katia connections are to be regularised.
- When energy audit of 11 K. V. is finished than feeders lazorisation of customer will be started.
- Sudden checking of various category of customer to minimize illegal acts related to electricity.