To combat rampant electricity theft in Madhya Pradesh, the state’s electricity company has been running a public-friendly reward scheme for the past five years. Despite its existence, the initiative has seen minimal public participation due to a lack of awareness. Under the scheme, any citizen can confidentially report incidents of electricity theft and receive a financial incentive for valid complaints.
Citizens can file complaints online through the portal https://webapps.mpcz.in or by calling the electricity helpline number 1912. The identity of the complainant remains completely confidential, and they are referred to as “Gupta” (anonymous) in official records. Upon verification and confirmation of the complaint, the informant is eligible for 10% of the total billing amount imposed on the electricity thief.
Confidentiality Assured, Cash Reward Credited Directly to Informer’s Account
Electricity Company’s General Manager, Sunil Kumar Khare, emphasized that the entire process protects the anonymity of the whistleblower. “No one will know the identity of the person reporting. Even without any documents, individuals can report theft via the portal or call center,” Khare explained. If the vigilance team confirms the complaint as valid, the billing is processed, and 10% of the billed amount is credited directly to the informer’s bank account.
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So far, 37 complaints have been received online, with 7 found valid, leading to billings worth ₹2 lakh. This has encouraged the company to push for wider public awareness to increase engagement.
Vigilance Teams Investigate, Urge Citizens to Share Accurate Details
Once a complaint is received, the electricity company’s vigilance team visits the reported location for inspection. If unauthorized tapping or illegal connections are found, action is initiated immediately. Authorities appeal to informers to ensure the accuracy of location details when filing complaints to enable effective response.
“We request citizens to provide correct addresses or landmarks while reporting,” said Khare. “The better the information, the quicker and more efficiently our teams can act.”
The electricity department continues to identify and prosecute offenders in Rajgarh and surrounding areas. With incentives in place and a secure complaint mechanism, the department hopes to build a vigilant and responsible public network that aids in reducing electricity theft—a crime that costs both the government and honest consumers.