The Hindu Business Line : CISF to tackle power theft in Delhi

Security forces have got a new assignment in Delhi — checking power theft. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), among the largest paramilitary forces, has been deployed in one of the three distribution zones in the Capital to strengthen anti-power theft operations and extend security cover to the distribution utility personnel taking part in the action against electricity pilferage.

Coverage for more zones

The CISF coverage, which has been extended initially to high theft area handled by BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, is expected to be extended to the other two zones of the Capital in the due course. "The East Delhi area has been sensitive in the light of resistance from various consumer groups to raids by the private distribution utility and there have been repeated complaints of attacks on the personnel by consumer groups. The CISF deployment would strengthen the tackling of pilferages and over a period of time the CISF coverage could be extended to the other two zones as well," a Delhi Government official said.

Under the CISF Act, its personnel can carry firearms and also have the mandate to take the accused into custody without a warrant and hand them over to the local police for further action.

The deployment of the CISF comes in the wake of the Delhi Government dragging its feet on its proposed power anti-theft legislation, which has been in the works since the electricity distribution privatisation exercise kicked off in the Capital since May 2001.

According to the arrangement, BSES would provide funds for the upkeep of the CISF Company comprising 114 men, who will accompany its enforcement teams on future raids. Following an initial orientation about the procedures to be followed during such raids, the CISF personnel are slated to start functioning in full force within a week's time.

Tech, commercial losses

The Government foresees power theft coming down by 10 per cent annually once the CISF get working here. As of March 2006, the aggregate technical and commercial losses in the BSES Yamuna zones stood at 45.07 per cent, with less than 10 per cent of it being transmission loss and the remainder being power lost on account of theft. BSES Yamuna has projected AT&C loss levels to come down to 39.95 per cent during the current fiscal.