Rs 1.76 crore penalty on tea garden for power theft

GUWAHATI: The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has tightened vigil across the state after a major power theft incident came to light at a tea estate in lower Assam's Udalguri district on Wednesday last.
The APDCL has disconnected electricity supply to the tea garden and slapped a fine of Rs 1.76 crore. "The management of the tea garden was involved in theft of electricity though a transformer which has a capacity of 750 KVA," said Chandra Mudoi, APDCL PRO.
"It's difficult to visit many tea estates that are located in far flung areas. Taking advantage of the situation, the management of the Bhutiachang Tea Estate along the Indo-Bhutan border in Udalguri district was hoodwinking the APDCL by stealing electricity. We have lapped a penalty of Rs 1.76 crore on the tea state," said NI Hussain, chief vigilance officer of the APDCL.
A power pump to sprinkle water on tea leaves was being run on electricity channeled off illegally, Hussain informed. Though the APDCL keeps an eye on high-value consumers (those who consume 80KW and above) by installing check meters, such a device was yet to be installed at the Bhutiachang Tea Estate.