Linking electricity tariff surcharge with NC Govt politically motivated: Shameema Firdous

Srinagar, Nov 22: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Women's Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous has taken strong and unequivocal exception to the newly imposed tariff surcharge and the Time of Day (ToD) Tariff system, stating that the measure will unjustly burden the people of Jammu & Kashmir. She emphasized that any attempt to link this decision to the CM Omar Abdullah–led elected government is misleading, politically motivated and completely false.

Shameema Firdous clarified that the tariff changes stem directly from the Government of India’s amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020), under which the ToD tariff structure has been made mandatory across the country, as per a statement.

She pointed out that even KPDCL Managing Director has publicly stated that the surcharge is not Kashmir-specific and that the decision lies with the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), not with any former state government. She asserted that the CM Omar Abdullah–led government has always stood firmly with the people and has never endorsed measures that would impose unnecessary financial strain on households or businesses. Shameema Firdous strongly condemned the imposition of this tariff regime and demanded that the Government of India urgently review the decision and provide relief to consumers.