Imphal: As many as 71 people have been arrested in Manipur in a crackdown against power theft by the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) and Manipur Police.
The raids were conducted between October 22 and 28 across the state this year.
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The step aims at improving financial condition of the MSPDCL that has been facing severe financial losses.
MSPDCL officials said the average monthly expenditure on importing electricity from other sources outside the state is Rs 60 crore.
However, it could only collect around Rs 40 crore a month from the consumers of the state.
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The actual cost of power per unit, including transmission charges, is a little over Rs 11, but it is sold to the consumers at Rs 5.50.
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Manipur’s daily power requirement is 260 megawatts during the peak hours and 230 megawatts during the off-peak hours.
Owing to these factors, drives against power theft were conducted in the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Bishnupur, Kakching, Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati and Kakching.
In addition, the MSPDCL has disconnected power supplies of 50 low tension (LT) consumers due to their failure to clear the outstanding bills.
Meanwhile, Executive Director (Commercial) of MSPDCL Kamei Gaikulung has appealed to the high tension (HT) consumers, government offices and departments, and LT postpaid consumers to pay the bills on time to avoid disconnection.