Bengal CM launches app to report electricity theft
Kolkata, July 21
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday inaugurated a special app from the Bidyut Bhavan in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata to help people report electricity theft, commonly known as hooking.
In a bid to address this menace, the Suvendu Adhikari government has used technology to tackle the problem. The app is called Bidyut Prohori App, where people can instantly report complaints about electricity theft. Along with this, the Chief Minister announced a major recruitment drive in the Electricity Department.
Electricity theft is still a common occurrence in remote villages and neighbouring districts of Kolkata. In many cases, complaints are filed with the electricity department, but there has been little clarity on how they are resolved.
Keeping these aspects in mind, the state government decided to launch the new app. Inaugurating it from Bidyut Bhavan on Tuesday afternoon, Adhikari said, "You can report all complaints related to electricity theft through this app. It will be resolved quickly. The electricity department is very important. Several other works will be done in the future, which will be discussed."
He added that electricity theft must be reduced to zero. "There is a zero tolerance policy for outstanding bills in factories. Many commercial buildings have pending electricity bills. In most cases, the owners are close to leaders. But that will not happen. Collect the outstanding bills. Send notices. However, be humane in domestic matters. You have to look at the record and take a decision."
Adhikari also spoke about irregularities in recruitment in the Electricity Department. He said, "There should be a recruitment rule. If a minister comes and tells someone to look at my people, then no one can stop that. But I don't want recruitment to take place like this. Everyone should get a job on the right path after completing their studies."
He announced that recruitment in the Electricity Department will be handed over to the Public Service Commission.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative but will it really solve the problem? The real issue is political connections protecting big defaulters. Adhikari himself said commercial buildings with pending bills are close to leaders. Let's see if the app brings transparency or just becomes another tool for show.
From Kolkata here - this is much needed. The hooking in Tollygunge and Behala areas is out of control. Also happy to hear about PSC handling recruitment, no more backdoor entries in the electricity department hopefully. 🙏
Smart move using technology but I hope they also focus on rural connectivity. In many villages near Bardhaman, people resort to hooking because they simply can't afford legal connections. Need subsidized rates alongside strict enforcement. Balance is key.
As someone who works in a commercial building with pending bills for months, I hope this zero tolerance policy applies to everyone equally. Not just small consumers but also those big fish with political connections. Let's see if CM walks the talk.
Great to see digital governance reaching West Bengal's power sector! But will the app have offline features for areas with poor internet? Many remote villages still struggle with connectivity. Also, need proper training for local staff to handle app complaints. Overall optimistic though. ✨
A Aryan P < We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.