Traders Federation Baramulla expresses concern over proposed power surcharge, delayed projects

Baramulla, Nov 22: Terming the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) proposal to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumption during peak hours as “unrealistic and against public interest”, the Traders Federation Baramulla has urged the government to ensure that such “anti-people” proposals are rejected immediately.

Addressing a press conference, the association president, Tariq Ahmad Mughloo, said that people are already struggling with economic distress, and such proposals, if enforced, are bound to break the backbone of the common people. “KPDCL should not act like the East India Company. Moving such a proposal shows they are least bothered about the economic condition of the common man,” he said. Mughloo said that harsh winters are not something new, and electricity consumption during peak hours has always been high. However, it is for the first time that such an anti-people proposal has been moved for implementation. Highlighting various issues faced by Baramulla town, Mughloo said that the town has been ignored on all fronts.

He said the biggest issue residents face is the traffic mess, compounded by the mushrooming growth of street vendors, which has become a major obstacle to streamlining traffic and a constant cause of inconvenience to commuters. The trade leaders said although Rs 6 crore has been sanctioned and released for the multi-level car parking facility at Noor-ul-Huda Market Baramulla, the authorities have failed to start construction work.

Urging the authorities to revisit their policy of allowing small commercial vehicles like e-autos and Tata Ventures to ply without designated stands, Mughloo said that from Baramulla town to GMC Baramulla alone, around 80 Tata Ventures, along with numerous e-autos, have been permitted to operate. However, these vehicles occupy space in the Main Chowk, Tehsil Road, and any available spot, leading to complete chaos in the town. A similar situation, he said, exists with street vendors who, in the absence of a designated vending zone, occupy roadsides, pavements and markets, causing immense inconvenience to commuters. “The authorities must come up with a concrete policy on street vendors, as there is not a single place in the town that has not been occupied by them. Unlike the business community, street vendors do not pay any tax, so they prefer to occupy pavements and roads, but the mess this has created is horrifying for the town residents,” he said.

Speaking about the dilapidated road stretch from Khanpora to Kanispora, Mughloo said that though Rs 33 crore has been released for the project, BEACON authorities are adamant about completing the bypass road first, and only thereafter starting work on the 6-km stretch from Baramulla town to Kanispora.