Officials of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) are now paying electricity bills for their homes for the first time in nearly 30 years, with some saying that almost half of their monthly salaries are being spent on utility payments.
Free Electricity Unit Entitlement Revoked
According to LESCO sources, Grade-18 officers were previously entitled to 6,000 free electricity units annually, while Grade-19 officers received 8,000 units. Grade-20 officials were provided 10,000 free electricity units each year. This benefit has now been removed, forcing these officers to pay their own bills.
“Other power distribution companies have got restraining orders from courts and restored their free electricity units,” sources said. This means that while LESCO officials have lost the benefit, their counterparts in other distribution companies still enjoy free electricity due to court interventions.
Call for Uniform Policy
LESCO officials maintained that restoring the free electricity facility would be unlawful and urged the government to abolish the benefit across all state departments. They argued that salaries already include all official benefits and allowances, adding that the Energy Ministry should introduce a single, uniform policy regarding free electricity units for all government institutions.
The officials pointed out that the current disparity creates an uneven playing field, with some officers paying full bills while others receive free units. They emphasized that a uniform policy would ensure fairness and reduce the burden on the national exchequer.
Financial Impact on Officers
For many LESCO officers, the removal of free electricity units has resulted in a significant financial strain. Some reported that nearly half of their monthly salary is now consumed by electricity bills, affecting their household budgets. This change comes at a time when inflation and utility costs are already high across the country.
The decision to end the free electricity facility for LESCO officials is part of broader efforts to cut unnecessary expenditures and improve financial discipline in state-owned enterprises. However, the lack of a uniform policy across all power distribution companies has led to criticism and calls for consistency.
