LAHORE: The divisional administration in Lahore has taken a firm stance against the unauthorized provision of electricity to unapproved housing schemes within the city’s subdivisions.
In a recent move, the administration has called upon the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and relevant authorities, including defunct town municipal administrations, to furnish 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, led by the chief engineer, informed the commissioner that these illegal housing schemes had managed to secure power connections under the pretext of operating tube wells and for purposes unrelated to supplying electricity to consumers.
Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa stated, “We will soon provide you with a list of illegal housing schemes.
After receiving the list, you are required to investigate which schemes were granted power connections and the reasons cited by the concerned officers for providing these connections.”
Lesco officials have been tasked with identifying such connections and submitting a comprehensive report to the divisional administration within two weeks.
The report will facilitate the initiation of operations to disconnect the power supply to these illegal housing schemes.
Additionally, during the meeting, it was agreed upon that an audit of electricity connections to illegal housing societies within controlled areas of the District Administration and LDA would be conducted.
Randhawa also commended Lesco for enhancing standard operating procedures for addressing complaints from general consumers and citizens. He also requested a report on no-objection certificates issued to illegal societies.
Besides, the commissioner affirmed that efforts to combat electricity theft would continue across the entire division.
Meanwhile, Lesco management has identified 11,578 connections involved in electricity theft across five districts: Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Okara.
The company has filed FIR applications 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 Rs1.096 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.
Source: DAWN
