Both the opposition and allies of the Omar Abdullah government have strongly reacted to the increase in electricity tariffs and demanded an immediate rollback of the nearly 7 per cent hike in power charges in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister, however, defended the hike, calling it a compulsion while citing inflation, rising electricity costs and structural pressures.
“Those criticising us have also been in government. “The government must remember that electricity is not a luxury, it is an essential service. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve affordable and reliable power, not ever-increasing bills. But instead of fulfilling that commitment, people are now facing an increase in electricity tariffs. “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.
During the PDP-BJP government, power tariff was increased by 14 per cent. Four years earlier, there was a 15 per cent hike. We have only raised tariffs by around 6 per cent after a gap of four years,” Mr Abdullah said. “The NC government promised 200 units of free electricity to every household.
The Chief Minister said his government had never promised a freeze on electricity tariff. “We committed to provide 200 units of free electricity to the poorest households through a solar-based scheme,” he added. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hamid Karra said the Congress would stand with the people and oppose the tariff hike. The Congress will stand firmly with the people and oppose every measure that places an unjustified financial burden on them,” he said. This is not relief, it is a betrayal of the trust placed in the government,” he said. The tariff hike must be rolled back,” the party said.
