Rajasthan: Electricity Meter Tampering and Power Theft to Attract Heavy Penalties

Rajasthan electricity consumers face heavy fines for meter tampering, power theft from June 1 under amended Electricity Act 2003.

Electricity consumers in Rajasthan need to be on alert. Strict action will now be taken against those found guilty of power theft, meter tampering, or damage to electrical equipment. The central government has amended the Electricity Act, 2003, significantly increasing the penalty amounts for several offences. The new provisions will come into effect from June 1.

Under the new rules, damaging equipment, wires, poles, or other materials related to electricity supply will attract a fine ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹1 lakh. If the same person is found guilty a second time, an equal penalty will be imposed again. In many cases, heavy financial penalties have been introduced in place of jail terms.

Key provisions of the new rules:

1. Industrial consumers will be charged a compounding amount of up to ₹20,000 per kilowatt.
2. For commercial consumers, the rate is fixed at ₹10,000 per kilowatt.
3. Agricultural connections will attract ₹2,000 per kilowatt, and other categories ₹4,000 per kilowatt.
4. Defiance of orders issued by the Regulatory Commission will draw a fine of ₹10,000 to ₹5 lakh.
5. Continuous violations will attract an additional daily penalty.

Fear of heavy financial loss to act as deterrent

The higher penalties are expected to be effective in curbing power theft. Earlier, the relatively low punishments led people to take the risk, but the prospect of significant financial loss is likely to change that. However, a transparent investigation process and consumer awareness are also necessary to ensure that innocent consumers are not harassed.

— Y.K. Bolia, Retired Superintending Engineer and Energy Consultant

Food Safety Action Against Adulteration (also from Udaipur)

Separately, the Food Safety Department in Udaipur has continued its crackdown under the "Pure Diet, War on Adulteration" campaign, on directions from Collector Gaurav Agarwal and Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Ashok Aditya. Two samples collected by Food Safety Officer Narendra Singh Chauhan were found to be unsafe — coconut water from Cocomango Company in Bhopalpura, and loose ghee from New Lakshmi Dairy at Dhulkot Chauraha.

Nodal Food Safety Officer Ashok Kumar Gupta's inspection found several other food products to be substandard, including: Rajbhog Ice Cream (100 Feet Road), paneer from Yamuna Doodh Bhandar, ice cream from Khajuriya Shyam Enterprises, mawa barfi from New Shri Dharmraj Sweets, paneer from Shri Ganapati Dairy, R.M. Kalakand Vallabhnagar, and mustard oil from Nakoda Provision Store. Notices have been issued to all these firms under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and challans have been filed against three of them in the Additional District Magistrate's court. Under the law, products found unsafe can attract imprisonment from six months to life, and fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh.