Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 21 : The Jammu & Kashmir Government’s proposal to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumption during peak hours has drawn sharp criticism from political parties.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari described the proposal as a “grave injustice” to the people of Kashmir.
“KPDCL’s proposal to impose a 20% surcharge on power tariffs during peak hours is a grave injustice to people who are already struggling to survive an economic crisis. Most of our population depends on tourism and horticulture—sectors that have suffered massive losses this year. Other businesses are also in decline. In such times, increasing electricity charges for mornings and evenings—when families rely on power the most in freezing cold—cannot be justified,” he wrote.
Bukhari added that the government has a moral duty to consider people’s economic hardships before enforcing such a measure.
“With harsh winter days approaching, I urge the authorities: show some mercy to people who are already burdened and suffering,” he said.
Peoples Conference state secretary Sheikh Muhammad Imran also slammed the National Conference-led government for proposing the surcharge.
“The Government is pushing a 20 percent tariff hike exactly when people need electricity the most. And Omar Abdullah expects everyone to stay silent. What does he think will happen—families sitting in the cold and dark during peak hours while the winter is at its harshest? This is a complete betrayal of the promises he sold during the campaign,” Imran wrote.
He accused the government of reneging on its election promises.
“We were promised 200 free units. Yet the same Chief Minister, who also heads the power department, is now arguing for higher rates. The double standard is glaring. He is the JKNC vice president and the very person who championed the 200-unit pledge, and now he is the one walking away from it,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that KNO had last evening exclusively reported that Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has proposed levying a 20 percent surcharge on consumption of electricity during peak hours in the Valley—(KNO)
