JKPCC protests against installation of smart meters

Jammu, Aug 24: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Thursday led a strong protest here against the installation of smart meters, citing concerns about the people’s inability to afford the increased tariffs based on smart meter readings.
He was accompanied by Yogesh Sawhney, Manmohan Singh and others, a party statement issued here said, adding that the protest march started from Bhour camp and went through Jammu Airport road, Rani Bagh and culminated back at Bhour camp. The protest was organized by JKPCC Refugees Cell Chairman Amrit Bali.
The protesters holding placards and national flags raised slogans against the government for allegedly not addressing the genuine concerns of the masses.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said, “People of Jammu have been diligently paying their electricity bills, but suddenly they appeared out of nowhere, cutting off the power supply and installing these meters. They are not financially capable of paying the tariffs based on meter readings. We are not against the idea, but shouldn’t the authorities consider the people’s ability to pay?”
He claimed that people from the unprivileged section wouldn’t be able to make ends meet if they spent their earnings on power bills.
The JKPCC leader condemned the move as “sheer injustice” inflicted upon the people. “This is nothing short of high-handedness. They are already grappling with numerous challenges, and this will only make their lives more difficult,” he remarked. “The government is making them face hardships. Many people work tirelessly in the private sector to earn their livelihoods, yet the government fails to consider their hardships. The installation of smart meters is nothing short of a catastrophe for them.”
Bhalla lamented the lack of employment opportunities for educated youth while “burdening the poor”. He emphasized the pressing need for authorities to address their grievances and take their concerns into serious consideration.
Yogesh Sawhney speaking on the occasion pointed out that the government has continuously implemented “anti-people measures, as if seeking revenge from the people”. “Instead of providing relief to the people, the government keeps imposing unjust measures one after another,” he lamented.
“The government’s actions were testing the patience of the people in J&K, and that continued such measures would be met with strong resistance,” he warned.
Manmohan Singh voiced his worries about the “financial implications” of the smart meters, fearing that they would further burden households already facing difficulties. “Most of the people here are poor and cannot afford hefty bills. They would rather face dire consequences if they are forced to pay as per installed smart meters,” he said.
JKPCC Refugee Cell Chairman Amrit Bali said, “The BJP government has broken the backbone of the common man due to high inflation and also due to its wrong policies.”