Srinagar, Oct 07: Former Cabinet Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir has criticised the government over abrupt power disconnections against consumers with outstanding electricity bills, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
Mir in a statement, said recovery of electricity dues was justified and necessary, but argued that financially vulnerable consumers should not be pushed into hardship by disconnecting their power supply and insisting on payment of the entire outstanding amount at once.
He described the approach as a “hard-capitalist” policy and urged the government to adopt a more humane approach towards people facing genuine financial difficulties.
Mir said electricity was an essential service and warned that sudden disconnections could adversely affect students preparing for examinations as well as families having patients dependent on electricity-powered medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators.
He maintained that consumers who can afford to pay but deliberately evade their bills should be dealt with according to law. However, those genuinely unable to clear their dues in one go should be provided an option to pay in installments.
Mir urged the government to show empathy and sensitivity towards financially distressed consumers, saying a welfare government should focus on the well-being of people rather than adopting a purely commercial approach.
