| Power tariff hike is anti-people policy, says Ghulam Ali Khatana | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 23: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana strongly criticised the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir Government over the increase in electricity tariffs, terming it an "anti-people policy" and an additional burden on ordinary households.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the State Office Bearers' meeting in Srinagar today, where he lambasted the government for increasing electricity tariffs and accused it of burdening the poor and common people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved an average 6.83 percent increase in electricity tariffs, effective from September 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Under the revised metered domestic rates, consumers using up to 200 units per month will pay ?2.45 per unit, compared with ?2.30 earlier; consumption between 201 and 400 units will be charged at ?4.20 per unit, compared with ?4.00; while consumption above 400 units will be charged at ?4.60 per unit, compared with ?4.35. Fixed charges have also been increased to ?10 per kW per month.
Khatana said that increasing electricity tariffs at a time when people are already facing rising household expenses reflects the government's anti-people approach. He said the decision places an unnecessary financial burden on families, particularly the poor and middle class.
He accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of a breach of trust, saying that the people had expected relief and fulfilment of commitments rather than higher charges for essential services.
Describing the tariff increase as an "open jazia on the people of Jammu", Khatana said the government should withdraw the hike and provide relief to ordinary consumers instead of adding to their financial difficulties.
He demanded greater transparency on the rationale behind the tariff revision and urged the administration to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest.
Khatana reiterated that the BJP would continue to raise the concerns of the common people and oppose policies that impose additional economic burdens on the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. |
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