Pulwama, Jan 12 (KNO): Residents of Batgund Tral in South Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday staged a silent protest against what they termed as an “unjust and arbitrary” hike in electricity tariffs.
The consumers, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), alleged that their monthly power bills have more than doubled in recent months, pushing poor and middle-class families into distress.
They demanded an immediate rollback of the revised tariffs, stating that the recent increase goes against public assurances made by the government.
Locals said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recently stated that there would be no hike in monthly electricity tariff, raising serious questions about who is ordering the increase on the ground.
“The Chief Minister had said there will be no increase in electricity tariff. Then who is increasing our bills? Was that statement just an eyewash to pacify people?” asked a protester.
Residents alleged that ever since the National Conference assumed power, their electricity bills have surged dramatically.
According to locals, households that were earlier paying around Rs 1,000 per month are now being billed anywhere between Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,100, an increase they described as unbearable. “This is sheer injustice. We are daily wage earners and poor people. How can we afford such high bills in the middle of winter and rising inflation?” said another resident.
Many protesters expressed frustration, stating that electricity has become a luxury rather than a basic necessity. “If the government cannot provide affordable electricity, it should disconnect our power once and for all. At least we won’t be burdened with these huge bills every month,” a local said.
Locals appealed to the government to intervene immediately and ensure that electricity remains affordable for common people.
They urged CM Omar Abdullah to intervene and roll back these bills—(KNO)