BEST has failed to recover Rs 42.23 crore, or nearly 78 per cent, of the penalties imposed in electricity-theft cases recorded across Mumbai over the past two years, according to a report by Loksatta. The utility detected 3,669 cases and imposed penalties totalling Rs 54.25 crore, but recovered only Rs 12.02 crore.
The unrecovered amount has become a major revenue concern for BEST’s electricity-supply division, which serves around 10.6 lakh customers in Mumbai. The report said the division, once more profitable than BEST’s transport operations, has begun facing losses for several reasons, including the financial impact of electricity theft.
The highest outstanding penalty amount was reported in the Byculla area, covered by BEST’s E ward. The ward recorded 511 electricity-theft cases, with about Rs 14 crore in penalties still unpaid, according to the report. The source’s ward-wise figures place Byculla at the top of the list for outstanding dues.
The F-North ward, covering Matunga, Sion and Wadala, recorded the highest number of cases at 1,225. It had recovered Rs 3 crore, while Rs 6.5 crore remained outstanding. In G-North, covering Dharavi, Mahim and Dadar, BEST detected 1,013 cases, recovered Rs 3.6 crore and had Rs 12.3 crore in unpaid penalties.
Other central Mumbai areas also recorded substantial outstanding amounts. The B ward, covering Dongri and Bhendi Bazaar, recorded 319 cases and had Rs 2.1 crore pending after recovering Rs 75 lakh. The D ward, covering Girgaon, Grant Road and Tardeo, reported 147 cases and Rs 2.3 crore in unpaid penalties. Even the A ward, which includes Colaba, Fort and Churchgate, had Rs 1.6 crore outstanding from 222 detected cases after recovering Rs 43.3 lakh.
According to the report, BEST’s vigilance teams take action against illegal electricity use by households, small and large businesses, unauthorised settlements and roadside stalls. The reported methods include taking direct connections without meters and using unauthorised connections at locations where electricity is being consumed commercially.
The report identified several reasons for the weak recovery rate. Some consumers reportedly pay part of the penalty in instalments to restore their electricity supply but default on later payments. In other cases, consumers abandon the connection after BEST’s vigilance teams seize the meter, leaving the penalty dispute tied up in legal proceedings. The report also said accused consumers attempt to use legal loopholes to avoid payment.
Ramakant Gupta, a BJP member of the BEST committee, said the utility should take stronger measures both to prevent electricity theft and recover penalties. He suggested forming a committee and assigning recovery work to a company, arguing that additional revenue was particularly important for BEST amid its financial losses.
The figures highlight a gap between detecting electricity theft and converting enforcement action into actual revenue. The report did not specify a new recovery deadline or announce a separate BEST implementation plan beyond the measures proposed by the committee member.
