Srinagar, Aug 24: Apni Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and workers on Monday staged separate protests in Srinagar against the government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs by an average 6.83 per cent, demanding immediate rollback of the hike.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Apni Party workers led by Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir gathered at Press Colony, where police stopped them from proceeding in the form of a procession.
Talking to reporters, Mir said the government has increased power tariffs despite people facing unemployment, shrinking business opportunities and rising prices.
“It is unfortunate that, despite being fully aware that people are already facing severe financial hardships, the government has chosen to increase power tariffs,” he said, demanding immediate withdrawal of the decision.
Mir also accused the ruling party of failing to honour its election promises, saying the government had promised 200 units of free electricity and free gas cylinders to households but had instead increased the power tariff.
Meanwhile, PDP leaders and workers also staged a protest against the tariff hike, at party headquarters accusing Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to address the concerns of ordinary consumers.
Protesters raised slogans against the government and termed the tariff increase an “anti-people” measure, saying it would add to the financial burden on households already facing inflation and economic difficulties.
PDP leaders and workers, in their protest, also accused the government of overall failure and opposed the tariff hike, demanding relief for consumers.
Pertinently, the protests comes after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approved an average 6.83 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for Jammu and Kashmir, with the revised rates scheduled to take effect from September 01. (KNO)
