–Statistics indicate efforts against power theft are finally bearing fruit
ISLAMABAD: In the first month of the new fiscal year i.e. July 2019, the Power Division posted a record increase in revenue and electricity sale besides decreasing the lines losses and taking action against power theft.
As per the data released on Thursday by the Power Division, during the month of July 2019 in comparision with July 2018, a considerable amount of Rs19,950 million (Rs19.95 billion) increase in revenue has been recorded. A total of Rs156 billion billing was generated by the Power Distribution Companies of which Rs136 billion (without subsidy) has been recovered in July 2019. This clearly indicates that Power Division’s efforts against power theft and defaulters are bearing fruits.
As per the statistics, the overall received units of electricity by the Distribution Companies have also increased as compared to July last year from 12,938 million units to 13,332 million units, posting an increase of 394 million units this year. The increase flow of electricity is indicative of transmission and distribution system enhancement on one hand and billing of electricity units that were either stolen or remained unaccounted for due to other reasons, including corruption.
Recovery has posted an increase of 0.87 per cent as compared to last July. In wake of increased flow of electricity in its billing, the increase in recovery points towards strengthening of fiscal health of power sector.
On the line losses side, due to efforts made both at administrative and technical side, in the month of July 2019 a decrease of 1.46 per cent has been registered if compared to July 2018.
At the beginning of new fiscal year, the Power Division further intensified its countrywide drive against electricity theft. Due to daily monitoring and targets, the DISCOs in one month have reported 5,146 cases to police of which 1847 FIRs have been registered. Similarly, a total of Rs275.16 have been charged in detection billing from various electricity theft cases, of which Rs 59.7 million have been recovered during the  month of July 2019.
The Power Division has already assigned special targets to the electricity distribution companies for the month of August 2019 to further improve the performance of the sector.
