Omar defends 6.83% power tariff hike in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended the 6.83 percent electricity tariff hike in J&K amid mounting opposition protests, saying the increase was a “compulsion”.

Rejecting criticism that the tariff hike contradicted the government’s election commitment, Omar said power rates had been raised by over 14 percent during the previous regimes and asserted that the present increase was only to the extent necessary. He added that a reduction in power losses would eventually help the government avoid such measures.

Omar told reporters in Srinagar “When did I say that the power tariff will not increase, I had said that we will be giving 200 units of electricity free to poor people.  I explained this in assembly as well, that we will be giving the electricity under the scheme using the solar panel, it has no relation with power tariff. But those who are questioning, during their own regime, power tariff was increased by more than 14%, they did not feel that it was injustice. We have raised only that much that was needed, it was required. As soon as losses will come down, we will not have to take such steps”.