How long shall people of J&K be deprived of electricity: Tarigami

Srinagar, May 14: Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Tuesday said the ongoing power crisis in Jammu and Kashmir is a failure of administration and mismanagement by those at the helm.
The recent declaration by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) of additional power curtailments is unacceptable and a blatant disregard for the well-being of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Tarigami said in a statement issued here, adding that the people of Kashmir are shrouded in darkness, “both literally and metaphorically”.
The CPI(M) leader said, “The claim of the surplus is a cruel joke when our citizens are subjected to unscheduled power cuts and outages, now exacerbated by further curtailments. While other states enjoy the benefits of 10% free power, J&K is unjustly deprived, despite our natural resources being exploited. We demand at least 40% free power as compensation for the use of our land and water resources.”
He added, “It is an economic burden and a social injustice that J&K must annually purchase power worth 3-4 thousand crore rupees, only to impose this cost on our citizens through unjust power curtailments. This is a policy failure and deliberate subjugation of our rights. We demand immediate rectification of these injustices and the implementation of equitable power-sharing norms. The era of empty assurances and defensive stances must end now. The citizens of J&K deserve transparency, fairness, and respect.”
Tarigami said the consumers have expressed concerns and are troubled by the inflated bills generated by smart meters. He said the focus should be on ensuring sufficient electricity rather than just meters.”
“PDD have filed FIRs against various consumers recently. Instead, consumers have the right to lodge FIRs against the administration for putting them in darkness,” he said, adding that the administration must address the issue promptly to ensure the consumers have consistent access to electricity for their daily needs.