PDP, Congress protest against power crisis

Srinagar, Nov 23: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said the power crisis in Kashmir has reached a critical point, leaving citizens grappling with prolonged blackouts and enduring severe hardships.
“The incompetence of the Jammu and Kashmir administration in addressing this crisis is now glaringly evident, as promises of 24/7 power supply through smart meters has proven to be nothing more than a facade, masking a harsh reality of increased tariffs and darkness,” the party said in a statement, adding, “Despite tall claims by the LG administration about the installation of smart meters to alleviate power issues and ensure uninterrupted supply, the ground reality tells a different story. The so-called smart meter initiative, which was marketed as a solution to power woes, has instead become a source of discontent among the general public.”
Meanwhile, in response to the worsening situation and to highlight the “administration’s failure”, the PDP workers and leaders of district Srinagar staged a strong protest. Former minister Asia Naqash, Ab Qayoom Bhat, Arif Laigroo, Iqbal Tramboo, Rouf Bhat, Sheikh Saba, Zaid Gowher and scores of members from youth PDP joined hands to voice their concern and demand immediate action, the party said.
On the occasion, Asia said, “The promises made by the administration about smart meters were meant to bring relief, not exacerbate the woes of the people. It is disheartening to see the government exploit the situation and burden the citizens further.”
Meanwhile, the Srinagar District Congress Committee (DCC) on Thursday held a strong protest against the LG government for “failing” to maintain an appropriate supply of electricity, rising unemployment and various other local issues confronting the public. The party demanded that the government must come clean on pressing issues and take effective measures to address these without any further delay.
According to a party statement, the DCC Srinagar had planned to hold a peaceful march from party Headquarters to Dalgate, but the march was foiled by the heavy contingent of police. The leaders and members of Srinagar District Congress, JKPCC functionaries and members of frontal organizations assembled at Congress Headquarter at MA Road Srinagar and held strong protests against and poor supply and unscheduled power curtailment, rising unemployment and various other issues.
They demanded that supply of electricity must be maintained according to the winter requirements. The participants also expressed serious concern over the hardships confronting the public during these bone chilling days of winter while raising slogans against the government’s “failure” to ensure required electricity to the public.