Proposal as per Union Power Ministry’s guidelines
Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 21: Public anger is growing across Jammu and Kashmir against a proposed 20% surcharge on electricity consumed during peak hours by the Power Distribution Corporations in J&K, which people say will deepen their hardships.
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The Corporations have approached the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for approval of a 20% surcharge over and above the base tariff for the consumption during the declared peak hours of 6-9 am and 5-10 pm for nearly all categories of consumers, excluding agriculture. Once approved, the electricity bills would increase by one-fifth for every unit consumed during these hours when households rely most on heating and essential use amid sub-zero temperatures.
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The proposal for tariff hike has been mooted as per guidelines of Union Power Ministry. Similar proposals had been mooted for other States across the country, however, they were not implemented there. The decision on the proposed surcharge in J&K will be taken by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
According to the petition filed for the financial year 2025-26, the Corporations have termed the move a ‘standard’ ToD tariff mechanism meant to “manage peak load” by encouraging people to shift consumption to off-peak hours. Officials argued that it would ease pressure on the grid during the harsh winter, when heating demand surges dramatically.
But consumer groups, trade bodies and political parties say such reasoning ignores ground realities. The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry – which opposed the proposal during Thursday’s hearing before the JERC – called it a “hidden tariff hike” that punishes consumers who have no choice but to use electricity during mornings and evenings in freezing weather.
“We voted for this Government to ease our problems, not make them worse. Before elections they spoke of 200 free units and now they add extra charges. It feels like a punishment for voting them to power,” said a resident.
The backlash has spilled over to social media, where thousands have condemned the surcharge as “illogical, exploitative and mistimed.” Many users said the Government should first address prolonged winter outages instead of penalizing consumers for using the power they do get.
Opposition parties such as the People’s Democratic Party, Apni Party and Peoples Conference have joined the chorus of criticism. Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari termed the move a “grave injustice,” warning that most Kashmiris are already battling economic distress after losses in tourism, horticulture and small businesses. “Increasing tariff in these conditions cannot be justified. With winter approaching, the government should show mercy,” he wrote on X.
PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para said the move shows the Government is detached from ground realities, warning of its impact on ordinary families. Posting on X, he wrote: “In Kashmir, electricity is not a luxury, it is life support. Policies that ignore human suffering have no place in a just administration. Winter is a battle for survival for ordinary Kashmiris, even if posh areas won’t feel the impact. Raising tariffs now would be cruel and catastrophic.”
The proposal drew mounting criticism; with ruling National Conference spokesman Tanvir Sadiq going on record to say that the Government would “reject the proposal outright.” “In a harsh Kashmir winter, power is a necessity, not a luxury. The Government will not allow people to be burdened with any such unfair and ill-timed proposal,” he wrote on X.
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