Srinagar, Jan 03 (KNO): President People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Saturday welcomed the decision of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that there will be no general increase in electricity tariffs across the Union Territory during the current financial year.
The Chief Minister’s announcement has come as a major relief to consumers amid widespread apprehensions over a proposed additional 20 per cent charge on electricity consumption during peak morning and evening hours.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Hakeem said the decision reflects a people-centric approach and addresses the genuine hardships faced by residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is a timely and much-needed step. Given the prevailing winter conditions and the forthcoming holy month of Ramzan, any increase in electricity tariffs would have added to the financial burden of common people,” he said.
The former minister added that such relief measures are essential at a time when inflation and rising living costs have already strained household budgets.
He said the decision has been widely welcomed by the public and will provide much-needed respite to consumers across urban and rural areas.
Highlighting the special circumstances of the region, Hakeem said that winters in Jammu and Kashmir are particularly severe, leading to increased dependence on electricity for heating, lighting and daily needs.
“Keeping in view Ramzan, prolonged winters and the overall economic condition of the people, at least a 50 per cent concession or additional amenities should be provided to general consumers,” he said.
Hakeem also stressed the need to improve ground-level power infrastructure. He urged the authorities to ensure that damaged and faulty transformers are repaired or replaced on a priority basis to avoid prolonged outages.
“Frequent power cuts and delays in transformer repairs cause immense inconvenience, especially during peak winter months. The administration must act swiftly to address these issues,” he added.
PDF president called upon all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to jointly raise the long-pending demand for the return of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) projects to the Union Territory.
He argued that reclaiming these projects would strengthen local control over power resources and help reduce the burden on consumers.
“If our hydropower projects are returned, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit directly, and the region can move towards an affordable and sustainable electricity supply,” Hakeem said, adding that a united political stand is necessary to safeguard public interest and prevent further suffering of the people—(KNO)