Power theft detected, Rs.16.16 lakh penalty levied

: Vigilance officials of state run electricity corporation Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation have detected four cases of power theft and levied a penalty of Rs.16.16 lakh, a top official said today.
In Pulicat and other areas under North Chennai Electricity Distribution Circle,power theft was detected in an ice manufacturing factory and in three prawn culture farms.
The vigilance and enforcement wing personnel of TANGEDCO conducted the inspection.
"The modus operandi was Meter bypass and Direct Tapping and we have levied a (total) penalty of Rs.16.16 lakhs on these firms," R. Sekar, Director General of Police (Vigilance) TANGEDCO said in an official release here.