Kashmiri leaders have strongly criticized the Power Development Department’s (PDD) proposal to impose an additional 20 percent charge on electricity consumption during morning and evening peak hours.
The National Conference (NC) said the elected government will not allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to bear such an “unfair and ill-timed” burden. NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq stated on X that in harsh Kashmiri winters, electricity is a necessity, not a luxury, and the Omar Abdullah-led government stands firmly against the surcharge.
The ruling National Conference said the elected government will not allow the people of J&K to be burdened with any such unfair and ill-timed proposal.
“The Omar Abdullah led Government has already taken a clear stand on the proposed 20% peak-hour surcharge. In a harsh Kashmiri winter, power is a necessity, not a luxury. The Omar Abdullah–led government will not allow the people of J&K to be burdened with any such unfair and ill-timed proposal,” NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said on X.
Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called the proposal “a grave injustice to people”.
In his Friday address Mirwaiz said that people were already struggling to survive an economic crisis as businesses are in decline, increasing the power tariff that too before the onset of winters which are harsh in Kashmir is heartless of the Government.
“Rather than easing people’s problems, Government is adding to their woes. Instead of fulfilling the commitment of providing 200 units of free electricity to the poor, new burdens are being placed on people,” Mirwaiz said while urging the government to immediately withdraw this anti-people proposal.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari described the proposal as a “grave injustice” to the people of Kashmir.
He said Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL)’s proposal to impose a 20 percent 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.
The government has a moral duty to consider people’s economic hardships before even thinking of enforcing such a harsh measure. With harsh winter days approaching, I urge the authorities: show some mercy to people who are already burdened and suffering,” Bukhari said.
Member Legislative Assembly, Pulwama and PDP leader Waheed Para said J&K government must do a real ground assessment before hiking electricity charges.
“People in posh areas may not feel it, but for ordinary Kashmiris, winter is a battle for survival. In Kashmir, electricity is not a luxury, it is life support. At a time when families are already struggling, raising tariffs on the poor and middle class will be cruel and catastrophic. Policies that ignore human suffering have no place in a just administration,” Para said on X.
Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) president Mohammad Yaseen Khan termed the proposed peak hour surcharge unjustified & unacceptable.
The KPDCL has reportedly sought approval from Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) to impose a 20 percent surcharge on all categories of consumers except for the agriculture sector during peak hours.
