Electricity is not just another utility in Jammu and Kashmir — it is a scarce and costly public resource that is generated, purchased and distributed with money drawn from the people’s own taxes. Yet, in one of the most unfortunate contradictions of governance, power continues to be treated casually, wastefully and often dishonestly across the Union Territory, especially within the very government system that is supposed to protect the public exchequer.
While ordinary households struggle to pay rising power bills, face disconnections, and are repeatedly warned against delays, a parallel culture of non-payment thrives within government establishments. A disturbing number of government offices and officers consume electricity for years without paying dues, and in many cases even vacate government accommodations without clearing their outstanding bills. This is not just negligence — it is a direct theft from the state exchequer.
What makes this issue even more unacceptable is the absence of accountability. If a common citizen leaves a rented house without paying the electricity bill, legal action follows. But when a government officer does the same from a government quarter, nothing happens. No recovery. No disciplinary action. No blacklist. No inquiry. Files quietly move from one office to another until the dues are written off — meaning the loss is transferred to the taxpayer.
The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department has repeatedly admitted that government departments and official residences are among the largest defaulters. Crores of rupees remain unpaid by offices that run on public money. In effect, the government is borrowing electricity from itself, then refusing to pay for it. This is financial absurdity, but more importantly, it is moral bankruptcy.
At a time when J&K is struggling with power shortages, rising purchase costs from outside grids, and mounting transmission losses, such behaviour becomes even more dangerous. The more electricity is wasted and unpaid, the heavier the burden becomes on honest consumers. Their tariffs rise, their supply becomes erratic, and their faith in the system erodes.
This is why mass awareness about judicious use of electricity must become a top government priority. Power conservation is not merely an environmental slogan — it is a financial necessity. Every wasted unit increases pressure on an already strained system. Schools, offices, hospitals, markets and households must be educated to switch off, conserve and respect power as a limited public resource.
But awareness alone is not enough when the biggest violators sit inside government buildings.
The government must publicly disclose department-wise and officer-wise electricity arrears. Officers who vacate official accommodation without clearing dues should be barred from further postings, pensions, or benefits until full recovery is made. Their conduct should be treated as financial misconduct, not administrative oversight.
How can the government preach honesty to citizens when its own officers walk away from unpaid bills?
How can the power department demand dues from the poor when powerful defaulters are protected?
How can a state survive financially if those entrusted with public resources abuse them so shamelessly?
These are not rhetorical questions — they go to the heart of governance.
Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford this culture of impunity any longer. The electricity sector is bleeding, and much of that blood is on the hands of those who misuse power without paying for it. The government must send a clear message: public money is not private privilege.
Until every unit of electricity consumed — whether by a farmer, a shopkeeper, or a top officer — is paid for honestly, no power reform in J&K will succeed. The exchequer deserves protection, and the people deserve fairness.
