A news report has emerged in the media that “Jail officers” have been directed to install electricity meters and begin paying their utility bills in response to concerns raised by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). According to WAPDA, the excessive use of air conditioners and heaters by these officers has been contributing to significant financial losses for the treasury. In an effort to curb this wastage, WAPDA has issued a directive that all jail officers should transition from paying fixed charges to using metered electricity. The deadline for compliance with this new requirement has been set for September 9th, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue. The move is intended to promote more responsible electricity usage among jail officers and to reduce the financial burden on the public treasury.
It is important to note that for a long time, the electricity bills for the homes of officers and personnel in the prison department were fixed. Under this arrangement, the monthly bill was set at approximately 18,000 rupees for a DIG-ranked officer, 15,000 rupees for a Superintendent of Jail, 12,000 rupees for a Deputy Superintendent, 8,000 rupees for an Assistant Superintendent, 7,000 rupees for a Head Warder, and 5,100 rupees for a Warder. However, WAPDA authorities prepared a report and sent it to the government, highlighting that these fixed charges are extremely low compared to the actual electricity prices and usage.
It was found that many officers and personnel excessively use air conditioners in summer and heaters in winter, along with other electrical appliances, causing significant financial losses to the national treasury. In response, the government has issued orders to install electricity meters in the homes of jail officers and personnel. The Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Punjab has been directed to ensure compliance with these orders.
According to the statistics, electricity meters will be installed in 128 homes, including those of the DIG and Superintendent at the New Central Jail Multan, 57 homes at the District Jail, 44 at the Women’s Jail, 67 at the District Jail Khanewal, 13 at Shujabad Jail, and other jails with residential housing. Sources have indicated that the IG of Prisons has issued instructions to all jail officers to complete the installation of meters by September 9th. Failure to do so will result in action against the respective jail’s Superintendent. The record of officers and personnel residing in the jails has been prepared and sent to WAPDA authorities for this purpose.
According to the law, it is mandatory for every citizen who uses electricity to have an electricity meter installed at their premises. This requirement ensures that electricity consumption is accurately measured, promoting fairness and transparency. The principle behind this law is to uphold the standards of justice by ensuring that each user pays for the exact amount of electricity they consume.
However, a surprising and concerning issue has recently come to light regarding the electricity supply to jails in Punjab. It has been discovered that electricity is being provided to these facilities without the use of meters. Instead of having their electricity usage accurately tracked, many jail officers and employees are benefiting from a system of fixed charges. This fixed billing system allows them to pay a set amount each month, regardless of how much electricity they actually use.
This situation has led to significant misuse of electricity within the homes of jail employees. Reports indicate that these employees are using air conditioners extensively, particularly during the hot summer months. Moreover, they are relying heavily on electric heaters for cooking food, including bread, tea, and curry. These appliances consume a substantial amount of electricity, far exceeding what would be covered by the fixed charges they are paying.
The absence of electricity meters in these residences means that the true extent of their electricity consumption is not being recorded. As a result, these employees are effectively using much more electricity than they are paying for, which leads to a significant financial loss for the government and, by extension, the public.
This situation is not only a violation of legal requirements but also a gross injustice to ordinary citizens. While regular citizens are required to pay for every unit of electricity they consume, jail employees are enjoying an unfair advantage by consuming electricity far beyond their fixed payments. This discrepancy creates an imbalance in the system, where the burden of these costs ultimately falls on the public treasury.
No doubt, the practice of supplying electricity to jails without meters is a serious issue that undermines the principles of fairness and justice. It not only results in significant financial losses but also perpetuates an unfair system that favors a select group over the general public. There is an urgent need for the authorities to address this issue by ensuring that electricity meters are installed in all jail facilities and that all users pay for their actual consumption, just as the law mandates for every other citizen.
Although WAPDA was slow to realize the need to install meters in jails, it is indeed the right decision. WAPDA should consider adding an electricity allowance to its employees’ salaries instead of giving them free units. The provision of free units has not only led to political maneuvering and corruption but also to electricity theft. It is essential to address and eliminate these issues.