Srinagar : While addressing the media on the sidelines of an organisational meeting in Srinagar, BJP MLA Udhampur East Ranbir Singh Pathania accused the National Conference government of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir by increasing electricity tariffs instead of fulfilling its promise of providing 200 units of free power.
Pathania said the government’s reference to JERC orders was an attempt to camouflage its responsibility, asserting that the UT government continues to have a key role in power policy, DISCOM performance, subsidies and consumer protection.
He said the latest revision includes a 6.52% increase in energy charges and a 25% hike in fixed charges, describing the move as “not tariff rationalisation, but open loot.”
Pathania posed four questions to the Omar Abdullah-led government:
First, what happened to the promise of 200 units of free electricity? He questioned whether the tariff hike was the government’s model of delivering relief to consumers.
Second, why should honest consumers bear the burden of power-sector inefficiencies? He pointed to T&D losses of over 40–45% and alleged that power theft remains widespread. He demanded a white paper on the government’s commitment to reduce AT&C losses from 41% to 25%.
Third, why are consumers who use less electricity being penalised through a 25% increase in fixed charges? He said the move disproportionately affects poor and low-consumption households.
Fourth, why has the government failed to achieve its targets under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and adequately encourage consumers to shift towards non-conventional sources of energy?
Pathania alleged that the government has failed to present a clear roadmap for reducing power losses, strengthening infrastructure and addressing power theft, while placing an additional financial burden on consumers.
He demanded that the “anti-people” tariff order be withdrawn immediately.
The BJP leader warned that if the government fails to reconsider the decision, the party will launch a “massive agitation from the streets to the Assembly” during the upcoming Budget Session, asserting that the BJP would “expose, oppose and depose” the government over its alleged failure to fulfil its promises.