Jammu: After facing backlash over the proposed 20% hike in power tariffs during peak hours in Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the issue has been unnecessarily made a point of debate and there would be no hike in electricity rates.
Talking to the reporters on the sidelines launch ceremony of the first-ever auction of seven limestone mineral blocks in J&K, CM, Omar said, “I am also the Power Minister and so far no discussion to hike power tariff has taken place, leave aside my signature on the claimed proposal. There is no plan to hike the power tariff before the government.”
The Chief Minister said, “Unnecessarily, this (hike in power tariff) has become an issue.”
The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) proposing an extra 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumption during morning and evening hours in the Valley.
The KPDCL had sought approval from Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) to impose the surcharge on all categories of consumers except for the agriculture sector during peak hours, when demand is at its highest due to the bone‑chilling cold in the Valley.
Managing Director KPDCL, Mahmood Ahmad Shah had said: “KPDCL has proposed a 20 percent surcharge on tariff for the peak hours of the day. As of now, no decision has been taken by the regulatory commission.”
The proposal, according to the officials, was a part of the Time of Day (ToD) tariff system, under which electricity costs vary depending on the time of consumption.
However, the proposal evoked strong reactions from different sections of the society.(KNO)
