Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18: Residents of Chattergul Baba Reshi in the Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district today protested against “inflated” electricity bills and demanded amnesty on pending dues.
The protesters said poor families in the area were struggling to pay the rising electricity charges and accused the ruling National Conference of failing to fulfil promises made during the elections regarding free power for economically weaker households.
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Carrying placards and raising slogans, the residents said the increasing bills had pushed many families into financial distress. They urged the Government to provide immediate relief to consumers who have accumulated large outstanding dues
Mohammad Hanief Lone, a local resident, said that during the election campaign, residents had appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had assured them that smart meters would be removed. “We are poor people and believed electricity would be provided free of cost. Instead, the bills have increased,” Lone said, demanding amnesty on pending bills.
Another resident, Noor Ahmad Khatariya, said their monthly bill had risen drastically. “Earlier, the bill was around Rs 100, but now it has gone up to nearly Rs 1,800. We are poor and cannot afford to pay such huge amounts. We feel deceived and demand amnesty,” he said.
Shafeeq Ahmad alleged that the promises made during the elections had not been fulfilled. “When political parties sought votes, they promised free electricity. Some consumers have now received bills running into Rs 1 lakh,” he said. “Poor families cannot afford such charges. Either electricity should be made free for the poor and amnesty provided on pending bills, or the authorities should remove the poles because people would rather live in darkness than face unaffordable bills.”
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