ISLAMABAD – The federal government scrapped free electricity for senior Power Division officers, replacing the long-standing facility with monthly cash payments of up to Rs55,536.
Under the new arrangement, officers from Grade 17 to Grade 21 will no longer receive free electricity units. Instead, they will be compensated at a rate of Rs30 per unit, according to sources. The revised package means Grade 17 officers, who were previously entitled to 450 free units, will receive Rs15,858 per month in cash.
For Grade 18 officers, the entitlement of 600 units has been converted into a monthly payment of Rs21,990. The cash compensation rises sharply for higher grades. Grade 19 officers, who were previously allocated 880 free units, will now receive Rs37,594 per month.
Meanwhile, Grade 20 officers will get Rs46,992 against their previous entitlement of 1,100 free units. At top of the scale, Grade 21 officers will receive Rs55,536 per month instead of the free electricity facility.
The government’s decision comes after a High Court ruling concerning the provision of free electricity to officials. Following the court decision, the Power Division has formally issued a notification abolishing the free-unit facility and introducing the cash-based mechanism.
Previously, eligible Power Division officers were provided a fixed number of electricity units without payment. The new policy effectively converts that benefit into a direct monthly financial allowance.
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