6.83% power tariff hike sparks political heat in J&K
The electricity tariff hike in Jammu and Kashmir has put the National Conference Government on the defensive, with the opposition parties on Monday questioning the increase and demanding that the government honour its election promise of providing 200 free units of electricity to households.
The protestors raised slogans against the power tariff hike and demanded immediate rollback.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Apni Party on Monday held separate protests in Srinagar against electricity tariff hike in Jammu and Kashmir, which will be effective from September 1.
PDP leaders and workers assembled at the party office near General Post Office and raised slogans against the 6.83 per cent hike in electricity tariffs ordered by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission last week.
The protesters, carrying placards, tried to march towards Residency Road but were prevented by police personnel deployed for law and order duty.
PDP senior leaders and workers, led by Party General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam, staged a strong protest against the 6.83% electricity tariff hike, calling it yet another burden on the people of J&K.
At a time when households are already struggling with rising costs, the government must stop adding to their burden. Electricity is an essential service, not a source of revenue at the expense of ordinary people. The tariff hike must be rolled back, they demanded.
Apni Party leaders and workers assembled at Press Enclave near Pratap Park.
They demanded a roll back of the hike and urged the National Conference Government to fulfil its promise of providing 200 free electricity units to each household every month.
The Apni Party workers also tried to march on the main road but were stopped by police.
Meanwhile, Imran Nabi Dar, chief spokesman of ruling National Conference, in a post on X said “J&K has the lowest tariffs in every category among the northern states (Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi). No other state in comparison has lower average energy charges (Rs./kWh). The just announced power tariff hike by JERC is not the first and certainly not the last. This definitely is “lower” hike in comparison with previous years.
Sajad Lone, president J&K Peoples Conference, also criticised the tariff hike and in a snub to the NC said “Power tariffs in J & K cannot be suddenly compared to tariffs in other states at the pleasure of CM sahib. Power tariffs in J & K will be compared with tariffs in J & K in the past. What is this selective comparison. You didn’t make these comparisons during elections”.
“The increase of 6.8% translates into an increase of more than 500 crores. This money has to be borne by the consumers. And these unsuspecting consumers were waiting for free 200 units of power per month, as promised by CM sahib in his Party’s election manifesto”.