Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 24
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended a 6.83 percent increase in electricity tariffs, saying the revision was necessary because of rising power costs and wider inflationary pressures.
CM Omar said his government had kept the increase as low as possible and compared it with larger tariff revisions under previous administrations.
“During the PDP-BJP coalition, the tariff was increased by 14 percent.
Four years earlier, there was a 15 percent hike,” he told reporters, adding that the latest increase came after a four-year gap.
He said reducing transmission and distribution losses would help limit the need for future tariff increases.
Abdullah also said the tariff revision did not conflict with his government’s commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to eligible poor households.
He said the free-power scheme would be implemented through solar panels under the Muft Bijli Yojana.
On reported threats against Kashmiri Pandit government employees, Abdullah said security agencies must investigate the threats and take them seriously, citing previous instances in which such threats had preceded attacks.
He also ruled out an immediate cabinet reshuffle, saying there was no crisis in the government and that changes would be made when necessary.
