Srinagar, August 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended the government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs by an average 6.83 per cent, saying the revision was necessary to address losses in the power sector and was lower than hikes effected by previous governments.
“Four years ago, rates went up by 15% and the BJP remained silent then as well,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar, arguing that the latest increase had been kept to the minimum possible after a four-year gap.
“When did we ever say that electricity rates wouldn’t rise?” he said, adding that the government had not taken the decision with satisfaction. “We take no pleasure in raising electricity rates. This is a necessity for us.”
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The Chief Minister said rising inflation, fuel prices and the overall increase in costs had contributed to the need for a tariff revision. He added that the requirement for such measures would reduce as losses in the power sector came down.
The remarks came as opposition parties stepped up protests against the hike in Srinagar, with the Apni Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) separately demanding that the revised tariffs be withdrawn.
Apni Party Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir led party workers in a protest at Press Colony, where police stopped them from proceeding in a procession. Mir said the tariff increase had come at a time when people were already facing unemployment, shrinking business opportunities and rising prices.
“It is unfortunate that, despite being fully aware that people are already facing severe financial hardships, the government has chosen to increase power tariffs,” Mir said, demanding an immediate rollback.
The Apni Party also accused the government of failing to honour its election promises, particularly its commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity and free gas cylinders to households.
PDP leaders and workers separately protested at the party headquarters, describing the tariff increase as “anti-people” and accusing the Omar Abdullah-led government of adding to the financial burden on ordinary consumers amid inflation and economic difficulties. The party also demanded relief for consumers and a rollback of the hike.
Tariff hike to take effect from September 1
The protests follow the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (JERC) approval of an average 6.83 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for Jammu and Kashmir. The revised rates are scheduled to come into effect from September 1.
Defending the government’s position, Omar said the tariff revision and the government’s promise of 200 units of free electricity for the poorest households were separate issues.
He said the free-power commitment would be implemented through a solar-based scheme, under which eligible households would receive the benefit. “There is no connection between general electricity pricing and this specific scheme. We will continue to provide free electricity to those entitled to it,” he said.
Omar also said his government had never promised that electricity tariffs would remain unchanged, arguing that the latest revision came after four years and was intended to address financial pressures in the power sector while keeping the increase as low as possible.
