LUCKNOW: UP energy minister Srikant Sharma on Monday said the state government would slap the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and Goonda Act on those obstructing power officials from discharging their duties to curb electricity theft. "Power theft is an infringement of the rights of honest consumers. Power saved through action against pilferers could be given to those who pay their bill regularly," Sharma told TOI. This comes two days after an enforcement squad of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) was attacked in Rampur where it had gone to check power theft. Following the incident, Sharma directed the UPPCL brass to take strict action against the attackers. In fact, UPPCL has been demanding adequate security during such drives. Sharma said the state government would follow the Gujarat model for power distribution and keep a check on pilferage. He said the UP government would also establish dedicated police stations in all 75 districts where cases of power theft would be taken up. Officials in the UP government said that imposing NSA would be at the discretion of the district magistrate. UPPCL chairman Alok Kumar said it would continue to carry out an exhaustive anti-power theft drive.

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UP to use NSA to curb power thefts: Minister - Times of India