Peak-hour power surcharge proposal triggers political backlash in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 21: The proposal moved by the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumption during peak hours has drawn massive criticism from the ruling National Conference and opposition political parties.

J&K Apni Party chief Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari, while reacting to the move, said the proposal was a “grave injustice” to the people of Kashmir.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bukhari said that KPDCL’s proposal to impose a 20 percent surcharge on power tariffs during peak hours was a grave injustice to people who are already struggling to survive an economic crisis.

"Most of our population depends on tourism and horticulture—sectors that have suffered massive losses this year. Other businesses are also in decline. In such times, increasing electricity charges for mornings and evenings—when families rely on power the most in freezing cold—cannot be justified," Bukhari wrote on X

He said that the government has a moral duty to consider people’s economic hardships before enforcing such a measure.

“With harsh winter days approaching, I urge the authorities: show some mercy to people who are already burdened and suffering,” his post reads.

National Conference Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq also opposed the KPDCL proposal to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumption during peak hours.

In a post on X, Sadiq said the Omar Abdullah-led government has already taken a clear stand on the proposed 20% peak-hour surcharge.

"In a harsh Kashmiri winter, power is a necessity, not a luxury. The Omar Abdullah–led government will not allow the people of J&K to be burdened with any such unfair and ill-timed proposal," he wrote on his official X handle.

JK Peoples Conference State Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Imran also castigated the National Conference-led government for proposing the surcharge.

In a post on X, Imran said the government was pushing a 20 percent tariff hike exactly when people need electricity the most.

"And Omar Abdullah expects everyone to stay silent. What does he think will happen — families sitting in the cold and dark during peak hours and all this while the winter is at its harshest," he wrote on X.

He said the move was a complete betrayal of the promises he sold during the campaign.

"We were promised 200 free units. Yet the same CM, who also heads the power department, is now arguing for higher rates. The double standard is glaring," his post on X reads.

Imran said Omar Abdullah was the JKNC vice president and the "very person" who championed the 200-unit pledge, and now "he is the one walking away from it."

"If the regulator approves this hike, people will not sit back. They will take to the streets because he has no idea what ordinary families are going through," his post on X reads.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed U Rehman Parra also criticised the government over the proposed hike in electricity charges during peak hours.

He said the J&K government must do a real ground assessment before hiking electricity charges.

"People in posh areas may not feel it, but for ordinary Kashmiris, winter is a battle for survival. In Kashmir, electricity is not a luxury, it is life support," he wrote X.

He said that raising tariffs on the poor and middle class will be cruel and catastrophic at a time when families are already struggling.

"Policies that ignore human suffering have no place in a just administration," his post reads.

State Executive Member BJP, DDC Member Khonmoh and co-incharge Minority Morcha J&K UT Er. Aijaz Hussain strongly opposed the proposed 20 percent hike in electricity tariff and termed it anti-people and a direct burden on households already facing economic strain.

"The government earlier promised to provide 200 units of free electricity to the people. Instead of delivering on what has been assured, the government is now proposing a 20% tariff hike, which is highly unjustified and unacceptable,” he said.

He added that the people of J&K are already battling harsh winter conditions, rising costs of essential commodities, and limited earning opportunities during the cold months.

“At a time when temperatures drop drastically and people rely heavily on electricity for heating and daily needs, any steep rise in tariff is insensitive and will push common families into further hardship,” he said.

PDP leader, Arif Laigaroo, strongly criticised the NC government for imposing an exorbitant and unjustified hike in power tariffs, calling it a gross failure of governance and a direct attack on the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Laigaroo said the NC government’s decision exposes its anti-people mindset. “Instead of providing relief to households already struggling with inflation and unemployment, the NC government has chosen to burden them further. This tariff hike is insensitive, unreasonable, and completely unacceptable,” he said.