Says People Awaiting 200 Free Units for Two Years Received a ₹500 Crore Punch Instead
JK News Today
Srinagar, August 22: J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Saturday put the spotlight on the government’s latest power tariff hike by sharing the official order showing that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his capacity as the Minister in-charge of the Power Development Department (PDD), approved a proposal for a 5% increase in power tariffs.
Referring to the communique submitted by the PDD to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), Lone pointed out that it explicitly states that the “Hon’ble CM (In-charge Minister, PDD)” approved the 5% tariff hike proposal & JERC subsequently approved a higher increase of 6.83%.
Lone highlighted the latest tariff revision would place an additional burden of more than ₹500 crore on consumers, while people of J&K continue to await the 200 units of free electricity promised by the National Conference government.
Highlighting the contrast between the electoral promise and the tariff increase, Lone recalled that CM Omar Abdullah had himself promised 200 units of free electricity to the people of J&K.
Taking a sharply sarcastic dig at the government and its supporters, Lone concluded: “My salutes to great people who voted them to power.”
