Jammu, Aug 25: J&K BJP Spokesperson Dr. Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia on Tuesday accused the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir by increasing electricity tariffs instead of fulfilling its election promise of providing 200 units of free power.
Addressing a press conference at the J&K BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, along with J&K BJP Media Incharge Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Jasrotia said the tariff hike would put an additional burden on the common people, particularly poor and middle-class families already struggling to manage their monthly household expenses.
Displaying a light bulb before the media, Jasrotia said several villages, including Karen, Dooru in Anantnag and areas of Reasi, had received electricity only decades after the invention of the electric bulb. He questioned the government’s decision to increase tariffs when people in many areas had struggled for years to access basic electricity facilities.
Jasrotia also displayed the NC’s 2024 Assembly election manifesto and alleged that the party had misled voters by making promises that it failed to implement after coming to power.
He particularly highlighted the manifesto commitment of 200 units of free electricity, saying that instead of providing relief to households, the government had imposed an additional financial burden through the tariff hike.
He further alleged that the NC government had failed to deliver on other commitments, including employment generation, ration distribution and LPG cylinder-related promises.
Referring to assistance being provided by the Centre for strengthening the power sector and upgrading infrastructure, Jasrotia questioned why the government was passing the burden of its alleged losses on to consumers instead of improving efficiency and recovering losses.
Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent “guldasta” remark concerning media persons, Jasrotia also made a sarcastic reference to the statement during the press conference.
Jasrotia demanded that the Omar Abdullah government immediately withdraw the electricity tariff hike and fulfil the commitments made in the NC’s election manifesto.
