Srinagar, Aug 22: JSrinagar, Aug 22: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Saturday criticised the government over the latest power tariff hike, citing an official communication showing that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as Minister in-charge of the Power Development Department (PDD), had approved a proposal for a 5 per cent increase.
Lone referred to a communique submitted by the PDD to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), which stated that the Chief Minister, in his capacity as the Minister in-charge of PDD, had approved the tariff hike proposal. The JERC subsequently approved a higher increase of 6.83 per cent.
Lone, in a statement, said the revised tariffs would place an additional burden of more than Rs 500 crore on electricity consumers in Jammu and Kashmir, while the government was yet to fulfil the National Conference’s election promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to households.
He highlighted what he described as a contrast between the government’s electoral commitment and the increase in power tariffs, recalling that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had promised 200 units of free electricity to the people.
Taking a dig at the government and its supporters, Lone said: “My salutes to great people who voted them to power.”
