JAMMU: In a major push against rampant power theft, the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has been authorised to disconnect electricity connections of consumers found involved in power pilferage, signalling a tougher enforcement regime against habitual offenders.
The Joint Electricity Regularity Commission (JERC) vide it’s order No 7 of 2026 dated 1/10/2026 has authorized concerned officers of electric distribution sub division of JPDCL, JPDCL and Ladakh Power Development Department to act against the accused consumers under section 135(1) of the electricity Act.
The move assumes significance as the Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (JKEEGA), which has been vociferously demanding revocation of the suspension orders against employees held responsible for failing to curb electricity theft, has simultaneously put the onus on JPDCL authorities for allegedly failing to pursue reported theft cases with the police for registration of FIRs.
JKEEGA has repeatedly maintained that field officials detect cases of illegal hooking, meter tampering, bypassing and other forms of power theft, but complaints forwarded to concerned SHOs of respective jurisdiction fail to culminate in FIRs.
The association has reportedly pointed to nearly 2,000 theft cases awaiting registration, raising serious concerns over the effectiveness of the anti-theft mechanism.
The controversy has also brought the dysfunctional smart-meter network into focus. JKEEGA has in the past highlighted the large number of non-functional or non-communicating smart meters in the Jammu region, putting the figure at around 25,000–30,000. The faulty meters, engineers have argued, complicate accurate monitoring of consumption and create additional avenues for power pilferage.
The latest authorisation is therefore being viewed as a significant enforcement tool, allowing JPDCL to act swiftly once theft is established, instead of allowing offenders to continuously indulge in electricity theft with prolong impunity.
JK Global News Take: Now armed with the necessary nod from JERC, it will be interesting to see how many FIRs the police actually lodge against electricity theft violators on the basis of reports filed by officials of JPDCL and KPDCL. The real test, however, lies not merely in empowering the authorities, but in ensuring that reported cases translate into prompt FIRs and meaningful action on the ground, rather than creating yet another avenue for corruption and selective enforcement.