WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to implement a 6.83 per cent hike in power tariff has drawn criticism from political parties, with leaders questioning the increase and seeking an explanation over the pending promise of 200 units of free electricity.
The tariff order has been approved for the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL). The revised subsidised tariff will apply to electricity consumed from September 1 onwards.
For metered domestic consumers, the approved subsidised energy charges have been fixed at ₹2.45 per unit for consumption up to 200 units per month, ₹4.20 per unit for 201-400 units, and ₹4.60 per unit for consumption above 400 units. The fixed charge has been fixed at ₹10 per kW per month.
“At a time when unemployment is at a peak, inflation is biting hard and ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet, the government has imposed a 6.83% power tariff hike. They came to power with an aspirational agenda, 200 units of free electricity, free gas and free ration. From free tariff promises of relief to higher bills, what happened to the promise?” PDP MLA Waheed Para said.
JKPCC President and MLA Sajad Lone said people in Jammu and Kashmir will now have to pay more from their pockets for electricity.
“The regulator has approved a 6.83% hike in power tariff and says it has avoided a tariff shock. It is definitely a shock for those who were promised 200 units free in 2024 by the ruling party. Almost two years have passed and till date not a single rupee worth of benefit in terms of free power has been passed on to the consumers. Not only that. Load has been increased in non metered areas, which has increased the monthly bill,” Lone said.
National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah on Saturday questioned the Jammu and Kashmir government over the non-implementation of the party’s electoral promise of 200 units of free electricity.
Speaking to reporters, Ruhullah said the National Conference had promised 200 units of free power during the elections but the commitment had not been fulfilled even after two years.
He also referred to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s earlier remarks about electricity meters, saying that while he understood the rationale behind metering, the government should explain the decision to raise electricity tariffs instead of delivering the promised free power.
“Instead of giving 200 units for free, nearly seven percent is being increased,” Ruhullah said.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also criticised the government over the increase in electricity bills, saying the hike was not surprising and that the government appeared to be causing hardship to the people.
Bukhari said his party would oppose every move that violates people’s rights and would take to the streets if necessary. “Government is meant to trouble people; we will resist every move that violates their rights and take to the streets against such draconian measures,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Saturday strongly criticised the National Conference (NC)-led government over the reported 6.83 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, terming the move a betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharma said the NC had come to power with a clear promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to every household, but nearly two years after the 2024 Assembly elections, the commitment remained unfulfilled. Instead, he said, consumers were now being burdened with higher electricity bills.
The NC government promised 200 units of free electricity to every household. But instead of fulfilling that commitment, people are now facing an increase in electricity tariffs. This is not relief; it is a betrayal of the trust placed in the government,” Sharma said.
He said the 6.83 per cent tariff hike, expected to come into effect from September 1, would further increase the financial burden on ordinary families already struggling with inflation and rising household expenses.
Sharma said the development highlighted a stark contradiction between the NC’s electoral promises and its performance in government.
“Before the elections, the promise was 200 units of free electricity; after the elections, the reality is higher electricity bills. The government must explain why the promises made to the people have not been fulfilled,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition also questioned the Omar Abdullah-led government’s commitment to the NC’s manifesto promise of providing 200 units of free electricity.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve answers, not slogans. The NC must explain where the promised 200 units of free electricity are and why, instead of fulfilling its commitment, the government is increasing the burden on consumers,” Sharma said.
Sharma warned that the BJP would continue to raise the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and hold the NC-led government accountable for the promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections.
