Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced a strict policy requiring all government employees to pay their pending electricity bills on time to receive their salaries for January and February.
Under this new directive, employees must secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Power Development Department (PDD) and submit it to the treasury before their salaries are processed.
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This initiative aims to address the growing revenue deficit in the power sector, which has been a persistent challenge in the Union Territory. The government has noted that a significant number of its employees fail to pay their power bills on time, leading to massive financial losses. The policy intends to enforce timely payments, ensuring that revenue collection improves and the financial burden on the Power Development Department is reduced.
According to the government’s order, failure to provide an NOC will result in salary delays and potential penalties. The administration has emphasized that this is not the first time such a policy has been introduced. In previous years, similar directives have been issued, especially towards the end of the financial year, to ensure that dues are cleared before accounts are settled. However, this time, the government has implemented a stricter enforcement mechanism, making it mandatory for all government employees, including contractual workers and those employed through agencies, to comply with the rule.
The decision also applies to government contractors, who will be required to submit proof of bill payments before receiving any payments for their work. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure financial discipline in the management of electricity consumption.
Officials from the Power Development Department have stated that electricity losses in Jammu and Kashmir are among the highest in the country. The revenue collected from consumers is significantly lower than the cost of purchasing electricity, leading to a major financial gap. To address this issue, the government has taken several steps, including digital payment options for electricity bills. Employees and the general public are encouraged to use the “Bill Sahulat” app, which allows quick and easy bill payments through mobile devices, eliminating the need to stand in long queues at payment counters.
The government has justified this move by highlighting the need for accountability and responsible civic behavior. While citizens often complain about power shortages and irregular supply, the administration believes that timely payments will help improve the power infrastructure. Authorities have also warned that further delays in bill payments may result in additional penalties in the future.
