Political parties welcome 200 units free electricity announcement

Srinagar, Nov 4: Cutting across the lines, political parties on Monday welcomed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s announcement that the government would provide 200 units of electricity free of cost to the people.

In his maiden address to the first-ever legislative assembly of the Union territory of J&K, LG Sinha said that his administration would ensure that 200 units of electricity are provided free of cost to the people. “Modalities are being worked out for this,” he added.

Reacting to LG Sinha’s announcement, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone said, “We welcome anything which will be given free. But we should remember that LG’s address is verbatim what the state government or the ruling party gives to him.”

“However, if you look at the finances of the budget mathematically and economically it doesn’t look possible,” Lone, who is also MLA Handwara, told Greater Kashmir.

The Peoples Conference chairman said, “Another fact is that the poorest of the poor don’t have meters. They will install meters and the poor will end up paying more.”

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Tariq Hameed Kara said, “LG’s statement needs clarification. We need to know who are the people who would get these 200 units free.”

National Conference chief spokesman, Tanvir Sadiq said, “Providing 200 units of free electricity to people, who deserve it, is a commitment made by the NC. We had mentioned it in our manifesto also.”

He said, “However, modalities have to be chalked out. A person who has a three-storied house and two to three vehicles can’t be eligible for free electricity. It’s meant for the poor people.”

BJP State General Secretary (Org), Ashok Kaul said, “If the government can provide 200 units of electricity free to people, we will welcome the move.”

However, he was quick to add, “We have many examples like Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka before us. There also the commitments were made about providing free electricity to people but they couldn’t do it.”

The BJP leader said, “Till now it has not been decided in J&K who are Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line. Let them first decide who are the deserving people.”

PDP spokesman Mohit Bhan said, “If NC is implementing what they had promised in their manifesto, then it’s a welcome step. Whatever they have promised to the people has to be implemented and the relief has to reach the common people.”

“We will not oppose anything that would help a common man. The present government has the absolute majority and it needs to exhibit the will to help the people,” he added.