CHANDIGARH, April 16:– Punjab’s power theft problem has surged to alarming levels, with residents stealing electricity worth over ₹2,000 crore in 2024-25, burning a massive hole in the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited’s (PSPCL) finances — an average loss of ₹5.5 crore per day.
Data reveals that 77% of loss-making feeders fall under the border and west zones, accounting for ₹1,442 crore in losses. Areas like Patti, Bhikhiwind, Ajnala West, Bhagta and Zira top the list of chronic offenders, where feeders report losses as high as 90%.
Illegal ‘kundi’ connections, tampered meters, underground wiring and forced meter halts continue to fuel the theft, often by religious deras, police stations, sarpanches, politically affiliated bodies, and farmer unions. In some areas, pillar boxes are repeatedly broken open, nullifying enforcement efforts.
“These are repeat offenders. People brazenly bypass systems even after surveillance,” said Mohtam Singh, Superintending Engineer, Tarn Taran circle.
From 2015-16’s ₹1,200 crore theft, the figure has steadily climbed — ₹2,050 crore in 2023-24, now breaching the ₹2,000 crore mark this fiscal. Despite free power schemes for agriculture and domestic users (below 600 units), PSPCL officials say many still manipulate usage to gain “more free power”.
The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) flagged the crisis in its 2025-26 tariff order, urging PSPCL to intensify its crackdown. VK Gupta, spokesperson of the All-India Power Engineers Federation, blamed political inaction, saying theft would persist without consistent raids and strong political will.
Of the 2,099 high-loss feeders, 1,616 are in the worst-hit zones. Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Bathinda districts are among the most notorious, with dozens of feeders showing losses between 50% to 90%.
PSPCL continues surveillance and enforcement, but without deeper structural reforms, the burden of power theft remains squarely on honest taxpayers and state subsidies.
