Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police has directed all police establishments across the state to immediately stop the unauthorised use of electricity from office buildings for residential quarters, barracks and other personal purposes.
In an official communication issued on August 1, 2026, the State Police Headquarters stated that instances of electricity supply being extended from office buildings to residential quarters and barracks within office premises had come to its notice. Such connections have been declared illegal and in violation of existing rules and regulations.
The directive has been issued to all Heads of Police Districts, Ranges, Establishments and Battalions across Odisha, excluding Vigilance, Home Guards and Fire Service establishments.
The Police Headquarters said that as a disciplined force, the department must strictly comply with all legal and administrative norms. It warned that such irregular practices would not be tolerated.
The order also highlighted the misuse of office electricity for charging electric vehicles (EVs) owned by police personnel. The practice, according to the authorities, has resulted in increased power consumption and caused an unnecessary financial burden on the state exchequer.
The communication further stated that in several locations, residential quarters and barracks situated near office buildings were drawing electricity from office connections to avoid paying their own electricity bills. Such arrangements have been termed unauthorised and prohibited with immediate effect.
Expressing concern over safety issues, the Police Headquarters also directed officials to prevent the use of electric heaters for cooking purposes, particularly in police barracks. It noted that such practices not only lead to excessive power consumption but also increase the risk of fire hazards.
All heads of police establishments have been instructed to conduct inspections of their respective premises and ensure that no unauthorised electricity connections exist between office buildings and residential areas.
They have also been directed to sensitise personnel under their jurisdiction and ensure immediate compliance with the order.
