Electricity theft : empowering people and reforming power sector

177 Pages·2004·1.276 MB·English

by  Kumar, Surinder

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First published 2004

© Surinder Kumar, 2004

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
without prior permission of the author and the publisher

ISBN 81-7304-530-5

Published by
Ajay Kumar Jain for
Manohar Publishers & Distributors
4753/23 Ansari Road, Daryaganj
New Deelhi 110 002

Typeset by
Kohli Print
Delhi 110 051

Printed at
Lordson Puyblishers Pvt. Ltd.
New Delhi 110 007

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Contents

List of Tables 7
Preface 11
Glossary 15
1. Introduction 17
Transmission and distribution losses 24
Objectives and plan of study 26
Organization of the book 28
2. Performance of the Punjab State Electricity Board 31
Generation, transmission and
Distribution system in Punjab 31
Financial position of the PSEB 42
Transmission and distribution losses in Punjab 50
Extent of power theft in Punjab and remedial
measures taken by the PSEB 53
3. Performance of the Haryana State Electricity Board 63
Technical performance of the HSEB 63
Electricity consumption patterns 68
Financial performance of the HSEB 72
Transmission and distribution losses 77
Experience of the electricity reform process 80
4. Perception of Punjab Consumers regarding
Theft of Power 86
Sampling design 86
Analysis of consumer’s perceptions 88
Attitudes toward power theft 88
Methods used to pilfer power and the
methods to check it 100
Perceptions regarding the tariff rates 107
Efficancy of organization and accountability 107

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Community based intervention strategies 111
Perceptions of farmers regarding misuse
of tube well connections 113

5. Perceptions of Punjab Employees
regarding theft of power 119
Attitude towards power theft 122
Methods used to pilfer power and
the methods to check it 129
Impact of existing tariff rates 137
Efficancy of supervision, enforcement,
and accountability 138
Community based intervention strategies 142
Incentives, employees unions, and
motivational steps 144
6. Summary and Policy Recommendations 153
References 169
Index 173
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Tables
2.1 Share of Power Sector in Plan Outlay 32
2.2 Installed Capacity 1974-5 to 1998-9 34
2.3 Gross generation of Electricity 1974-5 to 1998-9 36
2.4 Performance of Thermal Power Plants
19854-6 to 1998-9 37
2.5 Category wise Sale of Energy 1974-5 to 1998-9 38
2.6 Category wise Connected Load 1974-5 to 1998-9 40
2.7 Category wise Number of Consumers of
1974-5 to 1998-9 41
2.8 Punjab’s Present Power Position
and Future Projection 42
2.9 Average Revenue Realized Excluding
Electricity Duty and Average Cost of
Supply 1985-6 to 1998-9 48
2.10 Extent of Subsidy 1990-1 to 1998-9 49
2.11 T&D Losses 1974-5 to 1999-2000 51
2.12 Number of Theft Cases Detected by
Enforcement Staff of PSEB and Revenue Realized 1983-4
to 1994-5 54
2.13 Percentage of Connections Checked by Field
Staff and Enforcement Staff of PSEB
(1986-7 to 1990-1) 58
Annexure 2.1
Total installed Capacity Available for Punjab as on
31 March 1999 61
3.1 Plan Expenditure on Energy Sector 64
3.2 Generation Capacity as on 31 March 1998 65
3.3 Salient Features of the Power System 67
3.4 Electricity Consumption in Haryana: Relative
Shares and Growth Rates 70
3.5 Plan Load Factors 71
3.6 Financial Performance 73
3.7 Consumer Class wise Average Revenue and
Average Cost of Supply 75
3.8 Consumer Class wise Surplus / Subsidy 78
3.9 Transmission and Distribution Losses 79
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List of Tables
4.1 Regional Distribution of Respondent Consumers 87
4.2 Regional Distribution of Respondent Employees 87
4.3 Problems Faced by Consumers in Relation to
Supply of Electricity 90
4.4 Reasons for the Poor Quality of Service of
Electricity of Consumers 91
4.5 Ways in which Consumers Waste Power
(Knowledge of Energy Conservation Measures) 92
4.6 Reasons for Theft of Power by Consumers 93
4.7 Involvement of Employees in Theft of Power 95
4.8 Extent of Involvement of Employees in
Theft of Power 96
4.9 Official Level of Employees Involved in
theft of Power 97
4.10 Nature of Beneficial Contracts (Bribes, etc.)
between employees and consumers 98
4.11 Backing / Protection Enjoyed by the Employees
involved in Theft of Power 99
4.12 Methods Employed by Different Categories of
Consumers For Theft of Power 101
4.13 Technical Methods of Containing
Theft of Power 102
4.14 Organizational Methods of Containing
Theft of Power 103
4.15 Social Methods of Containing Theft of Power 104
4.16 Changes in Tariff Structures of Contain
Theft of Power 105
4.17 Checking by Staff to Contain Theft of Power 106
4.18 Punishment for Committing Theft of Power 108
4.19 Privatization of PSEB 109
4.20 Steps to Improve Accountability of Employees
towards their duty 110
4.21 Effective Ways of Communicating with Consumers 112
4.22 What is Good or Bad about Theft of Power 114
4.23 Steps to be Taken to Increase
Consumer’s Satisfaction 115
5.1 Key Problems Faced by Employees at
their Workplace 121
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5.2 Main Problems in the Distribution of Electricity
to Consumers 122
5.3 Reasons for the Poor Quality of Service of
Electricity to Consumers 123
5.4 Reasons for Theft of Power by Consumers 124
5.5 Category of Consumers Indulging in Theft of Power 125
5.6 Ways in which Consumers Waste Power
(Knowledge of Energy Conservation Measures) 127
5.7 Involvement of Employees in Theft of Power 128
5.8 Extent of Involvement of Employees in
Theft of Power 129
5.9 Official Level of Employees Involved in
theft of Power 130
5.10 Nature of Beneficial Contracts (Bribes, ectc.)
between Employees and Consumers 131
5.11 Backing / Protection Enjoyed by Employees
Involved in Theft of Power 131
5.12 Methods of Committing Theft of Power 132
5.13 Technical Methods containing Theft of Power 133
5.14 Organization Methods of Containing
Theft of Power 135
5.15 Social Methods of Containing Theft of Power 136
5.16 Changes in Tariff Structure to Check Theft of Power 137
5.17 Checking by the Staff to Contain theft of Power 138
5.18 Problems Faced by the Staff in Detecting
Theft of Power 139
5.19 Improvements in the Functioning of Supervision
and Inspection Agencies 140
5.20 Steps to Increase Accountability of Employees 141
5.21 Punishment for Committing Theft of Power 143
5.22 Nature of Incentives to the Employees 144
5.23 Privatization of PSEB 145
5.24 Effective Ways of Communicating with Consumers 147
5.25 Motivation of Employees to Work More Effectively 148
5.26 Technical and Motivational Training to the
Employees 149
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