KTA decries pesky power cuts

Srinagar, Nov 24: The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has raised serious concerns over the frequent and unscheduled power cuts plaguing the Kashmir Valley, particularly during crucial business hours, causing significant losses to the business community and hardship to the general public.

In a statement issued today, KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar highlighted the mounting challenges faced by the business sector during the winter season. "The situation has become untenable for the business community. With already shortened daylight hours during winter, these persistent power cuts are severely impacting our business operations and resulting in substantial financial losses," Shahdhar stated.

The trade body expressed frustration over the disconnect between summer promises and winter realities. "Every summer, we hear assurances from officials that areas with smart meters will not face power cuts. However, when winter arrives, both metered and unmetered areas face the same fate of prolonged outages," said Shahdhar.

The KTA President particularly criticized the administration's stance on unmetered areas. "It is deeply ironic that authorities blame residents for not having smart meters when the failure lies with the administration itself. How can consumers be held responsible when the authorities have failed to install smart meters in these areas?" Shahdhar questioned.

The trade body also raised serious concerns about the impact on public health, particularly highlighting the plight of COPD patients who rely on oxygen concentrators. The frequent power disruptions pose serious risks to these vulnerable individuals who require continuous power supply for their medical equipment.

"This is not just a business issue anymore; it's a humanitarian concern. Patients dependent on oxygen concentrators are facing life-threatening situations due to these power cuts," Shahdhar emphasised.