Omar Abdullah calls tariff hike a 'compulsion'
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended the recent increase in electricity tariffs, describing it as a compulsion for his government and asserting it was the lowest in recent years. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said those criticizing the hike had themselves raised tariffs when they were in power.
"During their (PDP-BJP coalition) tenure, the power tariff was raised by 14 per cent. At that time, they did not see it as unjust. Four years earlier, there was a 15 per cent hike, and again, the BJP remained silent. We have only raised tariffs by 6 per cent, and that too after four years," he said, as reported by Daily Excelsior.
The Chief Minister justified the hike in light of rising inflation and prices of oil and other goods. "How much has inflation and prices gone up during this period? We increased the tariff at the lowest possible rates. We are not celebrating it; it was a compulsion. The more we reduce the (Transmission and Distribution) losses, the less we will have to resort to these measures," he added, according to Daily Excelsior.
Abdullah also reiterated his government's commitment to providing 200 units of free electricity to poor and needy households, explaining that he never guaranteed tariff rates would not rise. "When did we say that the electricity tariff would not increase? We said we will provide 200 units free to poor households. I have explained repeatedly in the assembly also that we will use the solar panels under the Muft Bijli Yojana to implement this scheme for the people. There is no connection between the rise in power tariff and free electricity," he said, as quoted by Daily Excelsior.
Sajad Lone accuses CM of selective comparison
Peoples' Conference chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone slammed Abdullah over his remark on the tariff hike, accusing him of selective comparison and breaking election promises. In a post on X, Lone wrote that power tariffs in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be suddenly compared to tariffs in other states at the pleasure of the Chief Minister, and that they should be compared with tariffs in the past.
"Power tariffs in J&K will be compared with tariffs in J&K in the past. What is this selective comparison. You didn't make these comparisons during elections," Lone said, as reported by Greater Kashmir. He also attached a page from the National Conference election manifesto, noting that Abdullah had not made such comparisons while seeking votes.
Lone calculated that the 6.8% increase translates into a burden of more than 500 crores on consumers, who were waiting for free 200 units of power per month as promised in the manifesto. He further noted that this was not the first increase, mentioning a 10% rise for non-metered households.
Lone also pointed out that while Abdullah had promised free power for all, once in power, only AAY ration card holders would get it, estimating that around 200,000 families would be affected. He computed that Abdullah owes each consumer 4400 units (22 months x 200 units), equal to 11,000 rupees, and 2200 crores for 200,000 AAY households.
No crisis in government, says CM
Addressing speculation about a cabinet reshuffle, Abdullah said there was no crisis in the government and that any reshuffle would be carried out when he deemed it necessary. "There is no crisis in the government. Our work is going on," he said, as reported by Greater Kashmir. He clarified that he had only ruled out a reshuffle before August 15, not committed to immediate action afterward. "I only told you that it would not happen before August 15. When it will happen and under what circumstances, leave that to me," he added.
Threats to Kashmiri Pandit employees
Abdullah also called for a thorough investigation into fresh threats to Kashmiri Pandit employees, describing the issue as serious. He urged security and intelligence agencies to investigate the source of the threats and not take them lightly. "Threats should not be coming at all," he said, adding that the agencies "should not take these things lightly," according to Greater Kashmir.
He recalled that Pandit employees had been targeted under similar circumstances two to two-and-a-half years ago. Abdullah noted that the security of employees is the responsibility of the police, not directly his government, and is handled by the Lieutenant Governor.