Srinagar, August 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday assured people that there would be no further increase in electricity tariffs during the tenure of his government, days after the latest 6.83 per cent hike drew criticism from opposition parties and consumers.
“I assure you, my complete effort will be that, God willing, during this government, after this, we will not increase the electricity rates any further. No more than this,” Omar said while addressing a gathering in Tangmarg.
Defending the latest revision, the Chief Minister said his government had kept the additional burden on consumers to a minimum and pointed to higher tariff increases under previous governments.
“When these people were in power, when they had to increase the electricity rates, it increased by 13-15 per cent four years ago,” he said.
Referring specifically to the previous PDP-BJP government, Omar said, “When Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba was the Chief Minister, the electricity rates increased by 13.5 to 14 per cent.”
Questioning the criticism of the latest increase, he said, “Why did you remain silent at that time? At that time, didn’t you feel that injustice was being done to the people?”
The assurance comes after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission approved an average 6.83 per cent increase in power tariffs for Jammu and Kashmir, with the revised rates scheduled to take effect from September 1. The Apni Party and Peoples Democratic Party have separately protested against the hike and demanded its rollback.
Omar said the government would now focus on improving basic public services and infrastructure, including drinking water supply, schools, healthcare, roads and horticulture facilities.
“The rest of the work is to provide clean drinking water to people, to repair schools for children, to send doctors to hospitals, to improve the roads, to make a fruit market and to develop the area,” he said.
The Chief Minister also reiterated that his government would fulfil its electoral commitments during the remainder of its term.
“All the promises we have made to people, God willing, in the next three and a half years, we will fulfil all those promises and present ourselves to you,” Omar said.
