Srinagar, Nov 18: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Friday revealed that “legal” action will be taken against repeated offenders who are illegally hooking and connecting electricity lines on their own.
A top corporation official told Rising Kashmir that habitual offenders will have to face strict legal action. He said that given the use of crude heating gadgets by consumers across the valley, teams have been set up in all divisions, which were working in the field to reduce power theft in the Kashmir valley.
The officer added that people whose electricity wires are disconnected and consumers who are connecting these lines will also be taken to task. He said that the department has issued strict directions to the field staff to identify such people who are regular offenders and take strict action against them.
The KPDCL stated that people are complaining of power outages in many areas of Kashmir while these power cuts are due to heavy load shedding. It was revealed that people are using extra electricity which was the major reason behind the power curtailment schedules.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Chief Engineer KPDCL Javid Yousuf said that his team was on the ground to combat the illegal use of power.
The department is also raising awareness among the people to avoid using heating gadgets, which are causing huge damage to electric transformers.
An official , who does not want to be identified, told rising kashmir, “Most of the transformers are damaged during the winter due to heavy loading.”
The officer said, “At present every sub-division is receiving damaged transformers in large numbers. The department has also decided to provide transformers to people only after enquiring about their pending bills.”
The official added, “The department takes its time repairing them, but if there isn’t much pending work, the transformers are returned as soon as possible.”
The PDD department has also advised consumers to avoid using crude heating devices during this winter season.