The National Conference (NC) government faced backlash in Jammu and Kashmir after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approved an average 6.83% increase in the retail supply tariff from September 1.
In a recent order, the JERC has revised energy charges for metered domestic consumers to ₹2.45 per unit for 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 previous tariffs were ₹2.30, ₹4.00, and ₹4.35 per unit, respectively.
The development has triggered anger across Jammu and Kashmir particularly, against the NC government, as it had promised 200 units of free energy in its election manifesto. After the elections, the free units were only announced for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households which form a miniscule percentage of the population.
Not only the opposition, but even NC’s own Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, lashed out at the Omar Abdullah government.
“We told people that we will give them 200 units of free electricity. But for two years, we were not able to give 200 free units,” he said, adding that before the elections, Omar had said that the meters would be thrown into the river.
{{/usCountry}}“We told people that we will give them 200 units of free electricity. But for two years, we were not able to give 200 free units,” he said, adding that before the elections, Omar had said that the meters would be thrown into the river.
{{/usCountry}}“Although, I understand the logic of installing meters. Instead of giving 200 units for free, nearly 7% is being increased. If I raise questions on this I will be criticised,” Rahullah said.
NC govt betrayed people again: BJP
Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, Sunil Sharma, strongly criticised the NC government over the reported 6.83% increase in electricity tariffs, terming the move a betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“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% 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.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also came down heavily on the government over the increase in power tariffs.
“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.
People’s Conference president Sajad Lone called it a tariff shock.
“People in J&K 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,” Lone said.