Jammu,May 1 (Scoop News) – BJP has strongly criticized the State Government’s unilateral decision to enhance power tariff in Jammu & Kashmir from 12 to 22 % in different consumer categories.This was stated by the party’s Comerce, Industry & Tourism Wing President Rajesh Gupta.
Rajesh Gupta said this decision of State Government is not only unethical but unconstitutional too as on one hand J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission did not conclude the discussions with objecting parties and did not even bother to respond to the queries of affected organizations and representatives of people, including the State unit of BJP.
Rajesh Gupta disclosed that in its objections filed with J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission BJP had sought certain details from Power Development Department so as to enter into a healthy and logical discussion over the subject but the details were never provided and State Government took a unilateral decision to enhance power tariff in the state.
This tariff enhancement is going to further escalate the financial woes of ordinary citizens of Jammu & Kashmir, who are already facing acute financial crunch in the wake of highest inflation rates of recent times.
BJP had strongly asked the commission and the department to make public the district and sector wise details of electricity supplied, consumed, lost in distribution and revenue collected, so that week areas could be plugged in and honest consumers/ sections are not penalized but it is a matter of great concern that no such data is made public despite repeated requests.
This decision of State Government has not only put a question mark over the autonomous structure of J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission but will also be responsible for creating a wedge between Jammu & Kashmir regions of the State as it is observed that there is a huge difference in revenue collection and transmission losses as compared to the electricity supplied in both the regions. Figures in terms of revenue collection and transmission losses are on quite positive side in Jammu region whereas Kashmir region lags much behind and honest consumers of Jammu region are being made scapegoat to cover up the losses being incurred by PDD in Kashmir region.
BJP Commerce, Industry & Tourism wing President demanded immediate withdrawal of proposed hike in Power tariff so that citizens of J&K are not burdened any more.