Kangan, Oct 17 (KNO): Residents of Chattergul area in Kangan on Friday staged a protest against what they termed “unjustified” electricity bills, alleging that their monthly charges have abruptly shot up to Rs 1,600.
Carrying placards and shouting slogans against the Power Development Department (PDD), the protesters gathered near the main market, demanding an immediate rollback of the “inflated” bills.
“We are simple villagers and most of us depend on farming and daily labour. Earlier, our bills were around Rs 100, then Rs 700, and now it has gone abruptly up to Rs 1,600. How can a poor man pay this much?” said Abdul Majeed, a resident of Chattergul.
Another protester, Umar Nabi, expressed anger over what he called the government’s “betrayal. “Before the elections, Omar Abdullah promised free ration and 200 units of free power. But now, instead of helping the poor, we are being crushed under these high bills,” he said.
Women also joined the demonstration, voicing frustration over the rising costs.
“We barely manage household expenses. If we pay such high bills, what will we eat?” asked Haleema Begum, one of the protesting women.
The residents also opposed the government’s decision to install prepaid smart meters, calling it an “additional burden”.
“First they increased the bills, and now they want prepaid meters. This is injustice. We are not getting regular electricity, yet we are being asked to pay more,” said Mohammad Yousuf, another local.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, during a recent press conference, reiterated his government’s plan to implement prepaid metering across the Union Territory, stating, “Install prepaid meters and get assured electricity.”
However, his statement has triggered widespread resentment among residents in several parts of Kangan, including Chattergul, who accuse the government of ignoring ground realities.
“We are not against development, but the government must understand our situation. If they really want to help people, they should first stabilize the power supply and then talk about meters,” said Farooq Ahmad, a shopkeeper in the area.
The protesters urged the administration to review the billing system and provide relief to poor families struggling to pay the increased charges—(KNO)