Frequent power cuts, inflated bills trigger protest in Sheeri Baramulla
Baramulla: People from different metered and non-metered areas of Sheeri Narvaw Baramulla district on Monday staged a protest demonstration against Power Development Department (PDD) over unscheduled power cuts and inflated bills.
“As if irking power supply and excessive electricity tariff was not enough, PDD issued bills at the rate of Rs 370 and Rs 750 to all consumers from both metered and non-metered areas fleecing consumers,” the protesters said.
President Beopar Mandal Sheeri Sajad Bashir Lone said, “Due frequent curtailments and inflated bills by PDD forced us to come on roads and all villages reel under complete darkness with the onset of winter.”
“We see the power in proverbial once in blue moon and were compelled to come on roads as the authorities have been denying our basic right and facility. The power projects are earning billions of rupees on our waters but we are denied the facility which is sheer exploitation,” he said.
Assistant Executive Engineer PDD, Yasir Ahmad Kakroo said, “People are using electricity ruthlessly and there is rampant power theft. If you have many appliances at home and the meter shows just 50 units then who is using the power?”
