In a major crackdown on power defaulters and electricity theft, Madhya Pradesh Poorva Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd launched a surprise night inspection drive across the city, registering 33 cases against large defaulters. The department deployed around 30 teams simultaneously across Jabalpur to inspect premises of consumers who had outstanding dues for three months or more. These were cases where electricity connections had already been disconnected due to non-payment, yet dues remained unpaid despite repeated follow-ups by officials.

 

Officials had earlier contacted such consumers under the government’s “Samadhan Yojana,” informing them about benefits such as heavy surcharge waivers and the option to clear dues in six installments. However, many failed to avail themselves of the scheme. Interestingly, during daytime inspections, these disconnected consumers were found not using electricity. This raised suspicion about how they managed at night without power.

 

Acting on this, the department carried out a special three-hour campaign from 6:30 pm, involving nearly 30 officers and 100 employees, including women staff, to verify the ground situation. Senior officials, including Chief Engineer SK Giriya and Superintending Engineer Sanjay Arora, actively monitored the drive and visited multiple locations to monitor the campaign. During the operation, 15 consumers were found stealing electricity despite disconnection, while 18 others had illegally reconnected their supply. Cases have been registered under Sections 135 and 138 of the Electricity Act against these offenders. Additionally, action is being taken under Section 139 for damage to electrical infrastructure, with cases to be directly filed in the special court. Officials were instructed to take strict action against major defaulters while maintaining a humane approach during the campaign. The department termed the drive highly successful and indicated that such actions will continue in the future.