Patiala: Bhikhiwind, Patti and Zira, the border sub-divisions of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), are the top defaulters when it comes to power theft that caused a loss of over ₹1,200 crore to Punjab in the 2021-22 fiscal.
Border sub-divisions account for 44% ( ₹552 crore) of the total power theft in the state. These include Bhikhiwind ₹115 crore, Patti ₹110 crore, Zira ₹90 crore, Tarn Taran City ₹54 crore, Ajnala ₹52 crore, sub-urban Tarn Taran ₹27 crore and Urban Ferozepur ₹25 crore.
According to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission annual revenue requirement (ARR) for the current financial year, there are around 400 feeders in the state where power losses are more than 50% and the border belt, with about 160 feeders, being the top defaulter. These include 14 feeders with more than 90% losses and 27 feeders with losses between 80% and 90%.
