Jammu, Aug 18: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Friday led a strong protest against the installation of smart meters, citing concerns about the people’s ability to afford the increased tariffs based on smart meter readings.
The protesters, as per the JKPCC statement issued here, denounced the “unilateral and unnecessary” actions of the Jammu Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JKPDCL) in installing the meters.
Bhalla was accompanied by Yogesh Sawhney, Kanta Baan, Pranav Shagotra, and the protests were organised by Manmohan Singh, the statement said.
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 spend their earnings on power bills.
Bhalla 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 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,” he asserted.
He further 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.
The Congress leader said, “While the common people are in acute distress, the government is in ecstasy after pushing the prices of essential commodities from tomato to petrol beyond reach. While the budgets of middle-class households have derailed, the poor cannot afford the basic food for sustenance. Tomato, which was selling for Rs 10-15 a kg, has shot up to Rs 200-150; even green chilies and lemons have gone beyond the common man’s reach.”
He said the government could have substantially cut down the LPG, petrol and diesel prices as the average price of crude available in the international market is $65 a barrel, which is almost half of what the Manmohan Singh government was saddled with.
Yogesh Sawhney speaking on the occasion said, “Instead of providing relief to the people, the government keeps imposing unjust measures one after another.”
