MADHYA Pradesh Poorva Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd (MPPKVVCL) has intensified its campaign against consumers involved in power theft and failing to pay penalties. On Wednesday, 512 electricity connections were disconnected directly from poles across Jabalpur. Despite rain and adverse weather, more than 35 electricity officers and their teams conducted recovery and disconnection drives across the city. The campaign targets consumers whose power theft penalties have remained unpaid for months despite opportunities through Lok Adalats. According to Superintending Engineer Sanjay Arora, 8,680 consumers in Jabalpur city have outstanding power theft penalties of above Rs 5,000. These include 2,686 consumers in the South Division, 2,424 in the East Division, 2,023 in the North Division, 1,109 in Vijay Nagar and 438 in the West Division. The total outstanding amount in such cases exceeds Rs 20 crore. The department also took action against Tulsiram Kachhi of Gautam Madhiya, against whom a power theft panchnama was prepared on May 27, 2026.

 

Officials said photographs and other evidence related to the case were preserved. After Kachhi lodged a complaint at the Collectorate claiming a false theft case and unauthorised demand, the department disconnected his connection from the pole over an unpaid penalty of Rs 38,000. Officials said rules permit immediate disconnection in power theft cases, but consumers are generally given one to one-and-a-half months to pay the penalty. Lok Adalats also offer eligible consumers substantial concessions. To prevent illegal reconnection, ladder vehicles have been assigned to field teams so that connections can be disconnected directly from poles rather than meters. Of the 512 consumers whose connections were disconnected, around 107 domestic, commercial and industrial consumers deposited nearly Rs 29 lakh in penalties. The department warned that consumers who continue to default will face legal proceedings, with cases being prepared for presentation before the Special Court in August.