``We are against power theft and want it to stop. But we are also against the DVB's strong-arm tactics in this context. By conducting the raids, they are attempting to cover up for their own negligence all these years,'' says Ajit Singh, MCD councillor and president of the Delhi Manufacturers Association.

In December 1995, he says, the DVB announced a scheme which allowed factory owners to enhance the load capacity in their units. They were asked to pay for a new meter and new cables, besides a tariff of Rs 1,100 for every additional kilowatt of power.

``The board collected crores of rupees through this scheme,'' says Ajit Singh, ``but now, over four years later, they are yet to replace the meters and the cables.''

Last year in June, the DVB announced another scheme -- the Voluntary Declaration Scheme for replacement of tampered meters. This time the tariffs were hiked, but, according to Vijay Vermani (general secretary of the association), several factory owners paid up to Rs 50,000 as outstanding dues and charges for new meters.

``But once again they have failed to provide the new meters,'' says Vermani, citing the example of over 600 small factory owners in Vishwas Nagar. ``Now the DVB is conducting raids and registering FIRs on the pretext of power thefts and absence of new meters.''

A senior DVB official, however, disputes the factory owners' argument. ``It is very easy to blame the DVB. Why didn't they pursue their case and ensure that they got the new meters installed? They have been getting away with stealing power for too long.''

Adds Vermani: ``We have taken up the issue with the power minister. If the situation doesn't get better, we will file a petition in court''.