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| People want affordable power, not broken promises and higher bills: Balbir | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 24: Jammu & Kashmir BJP spokesperson and former Vice Chairman Balbir Ram Rattan strongly criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government over the latest decision to hike electricity tariffs. He said the move would increase the financial burden on ordinary people and expose the widening gap between the promises made by the National Conference before coming to power and the reality now being faced by the people. Reacting to the average 6.83 per cent increase in electricity tariffs from September 1, 2026, Balbir said that the consumers are being forced to pay more for an essential service at a time when families, traders, farmers, shopkeepers and small business owners were already struggling to meet their household and other expenses.
Balbir said the National Conference had sought votes by making attractive promises, including 200 units of free electricity, but the people are now going to face increased power tariffs instead. He said relief had been promised to the people, but they are instead being subjected to an additional financial burden, raising serious questions about the credibility of those promises.
He said electricity is not a luxury but an essential requirement for every household, commercial establishment, educational institution, workshop and economic activity. Any increase in the cost of electricity has a wider impact on the prices of goods and services and ultimately affects the common consumer directly.
Balbir said an elected government could not escape its political and administrative responsibility towards consumers. The government must ensure that the financial problems of the power sector do not become an excuse for repeatedly imposing an additional burden on ordinary families. He asked the Omar government to explain why consumers are being made to bear the burden of higher bills. He also demanded targeted relief for poor and middle-class families, small traders, farmers and other vulnerable sections.
"People want affordable and reliable electricity, not broken promises and higher bills. A government cannot seek votes by promising relief and then remain silent when people are subjected to an additional financial burden," Balbir said. |
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