Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – A legislator from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the administration over a recent increase in electricity tariffs, questioning the incumbent government’s fulfillment of pre-election promises to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, a PDP legislator, voiced his dissatisfaction on Saturday, highlighting the timing of the tariff revision amidst prevailing economic hardships. He pointed out the simultaneous challenges of peak unemployment and widespread inflation that are impacting ordinary families across the region.
In a public statement on the social media platform X, Para articulated his concerns, stating, “At a time when unemployment is at a peak, inflation is biting hard and ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet, the government has imposed a 6.83% power tariff hike.” He further invoked the government’s past electoral agenda, which he claimed included promises of benefits such as 200 units of free electricity, free gas, and free ration.
Para questioned the shift from these earlier pledges to the current reality of increased electricity bills, directly addressing the Chief Minister’s office. The revised power tariff, which represents a 6.83 percent increase, has reportedly been approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC). This new tariff structure is slated to be implemented for electricity consumption between September 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
The PDP legislator’s remarks underscore a point of contention regarding the administration’s economic policies and their impact on the populace, particularly when juxtaposed with campaign promises made during previous electoral cycles. The increase in power tariffs is likely to add to the financial burden on households already contending with economic pressures.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) plays a crucial role in setting electricity tariffs across various union territories and states, ensuring a regulated framework for power pricing. The commission’s decisions are based on factors such as the cost of power generation, transmission, distribution, and other operational expenses, aiming to balance the financial health of power utilities with the affordability for consumers.
The political criticism comes at a time when economic recovery and public welfare are central concerns for the administration in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration faces the challenge of addressing the dual objectives of ensuring fiscal sustainability for essential services and alleviating the economic strains on its citizens. The upcoming period, from September 2026 to March 2027, will be closely watched to gauge the practical implications of the revised tariff.
The Chenab Times News Desk