Lahore: The divisional administration in Lahore has adopted a resolute stance against the illegal power supply to unapproved housing schemes within the city’s subdivisions, according to news published on October 03.
In a recent development, the administration has called upon the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and relevant authorities, including defunct town municipal administrations, to provide a list of illegal housing schemes to the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO).
During a meeting between the Lahore commissioner and senior LESCO officials, the LESCO team, headed by the chief engineer, apprised the commissioner that these illegal housing schemes had obtained power connections under the guise of operating tube wells and for purposes unrelated to supplying electricity to consumers.
Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa stated, ‘We will promptly furnish you with a list of illegal housing schemes. Upon receiving the list, you are tasked with investigating which schemes were granted power connections and the justifications provided by the responsible officers for granting these connections.’
LESCO officials have been assigned the responsibility of identifying such connections and submitting a comprehensive report to the divisional administration within a two-week timeframe. This report will serve as the basis for initiating operations to disconnect the power supply to these illegal housing schemes.
Furthermore, during the meeting, it was agreed that an audit of electricity connections to illegal housing societies within controlled areas of the District Administration and LDA would be conducted.
Commissioner Randhawa also lauded LESCO for improving standard operating procedures for addressing complaints from general consumers and citizens. He also requested a report on the issuance of no-objection certificates to illegal societies. Additionally, the commissioner affirmed that efforts to combat electricity theft would continue throughout the entire division.
Meanwhile, LESCO management has identified 11,578 connections involved in electricity theft across five districts; Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Okara, and Kasur. The company has registered FIRs against 11,478 electricity thieves, with 10,505 cases registered at respective police stations. Furthermore, 3,484 accused individuals have been apprehended.
These electricity thieves collectively face charges related to 24.250 million detection units, amounting to over PKR 1.096 billion in losses. LESCO’s anti-power theft campaign remains ongoing, with 588 connections found to be involved in electricity theft during the latest inspection, resulting in FIR applications against 585 electricity thieves, 258 FIRs registered, and 122 accused individuals arrested.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
