Ludhiana, Aug. 19 -- Despite the surge in demand amid ongoing paddy season, Ludhiana district has recorded a sharp fall in power theft cases. Official data shows nearly a 52% decline compared to last year.

Meanwhile, officials have attributed the sharp fall in theft cases to the waiver of the no objection certificate (NOC) requirement in illegal colonies. They explained that earlier, a majority of thefts were reported from these colonies, where residents, unable to get legal meter connections without an NOC, resorted to kundi (hook) connections.

With the state government waiving off the NOC requirement from December to March, residents in such colonies have been able to apply directly for legal electricity meters, significantly reducing...