DADU, Jan 21: Line losses in the Dadu circle of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company jump to 31 per cent with Betto Jatoi feeder in Mehar operation division topping the list with 72.1 per cent losses.

Power consumers alleged that the Hesco was carrying out loadshedding to cover line losses and power theft. A sum of Rs3.2 billion was outstanding against 181,000 consumers in Dadu circle as of December 2008.

According to Hesco sources, 45.47 million units were supplied to Dadu circle, comprising Dadu, Moro, Mehar and Naushahro Feroze operation divisions in December 2008 from Dadu, Johi, Bhan, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Mehar, Faridabad, Sita Road, Moro, Doulatpur, Naushahro Feroze, Pad Eidan, Mehrabpur and Kandiaro gird stations.

A total of 31.32 million units were consumed with 31 per cent line losses during December mainly due to technical faults and power theft, the sources said. The dues against private consumers stood at Rs1.100 billion in Dadu, Rs1.200 billion in Mehar, Rs492 million in Moro and Rs4.50 million in Naushahro Feroze operation divisions.

The Betto Jatoi feeder which supplies power mainly to the village and lands of former federal minister for water and power Liaquat Ali Jatoi was at the top of the list where line losses climbed to 72.1 per cent in December 2008 while they stood at 54 per cent during preceding year.

Line losses at New Jatoi feeder were recoded at 56.6 per cent in December 2008, an improvement from December 2007 when they were 72.7 per cent.

Deputy Commercial Manager of Dadu circle, Malik Aftab Mehmood, said that to reduce line losses and recover defaulted amount, connections of 51,000 permanent defaulters had been disconnected in the circle.

He blamed technical faults and power theft for the line losses and said that to stop power theft, door to door checking of meters had been started.

A Hesco spokesman said two teams had been formed to check connections door-to-door and note reading of meters.

Defective meters would be removed, he said. Meanwhile, a large number of social workers and general public held a demonstration in protest against 11 to 12 hour long loadshedding.