Come winter, governments, that be, make tall claims about being fully prepared to tackle the situation during freezing weather in Kashmir but every year these claims remain just claim. Kashmir is freezing. Power situation is worsening with every passing day, Entire Valley is facing water crisis, and all claims are going haywire. This is what has been happening in the past and this season too things seem no different. The electricity has already disappeared from most parts of the Valley and the Government, on its part, is just resorting to token lip-service without actually doing much to alleviate peoples’ problems.
People want regular power supply and for this they are ready to pay and they have actually been paying. Even government records suggest that there has been an increase in power revenue generation by 10 to 15 percent while as the supply situation has deteriorated badly. Sometime back when government began smart meters in the Valley, people were told that once the process is completed, they will be getting an uninterrupted supply of electricity. However, the areas where smart meters have been installed, the supply situation of electricity continues to remain as problematic as it has always been. And if one takes into account the situation in the countryside, then it goes without saying that in the rural areas the people are suffering and suffering terribly. In fact while this editorial is being penned down, the telephone is continuously ringing with people from far and wide all across the Valley complaining that they are without electricity.
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Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has posted on X that he will be staying in Kashmir for a week to monitor himself the power and water supply. Good, but the question is, why our governments, that be, are never ready to face the winters and address peoples’ problems. LG administration too can’t pat itself. Before the recently concluded elections, J&K has been under direct Central rule for more than five years. What has been done to give people relief from power and water crisis during winters. Tall claims and nothing more. Yes, the administration can boast of increasing power revenue generation but has been able to pay in return to consumers by bettering the power supply. No, it has not been.
While people are wondering where to lodge their complaints vis-à-vis these issues, with LG’s office or CM’s office, there is no word from the concerned departments. Some people complain that they have been continuously calling the Jal Shakti Minister about the water crisis, but he has kept his phones off while as the concerned officers are curtly telling them that they can’t help. While one should appreciate CM’s gesture to remain present here and try to resolve issues confronting people, people expect the dual administration to do something practical. Those who rule the UT need to have a first-hand feel of the situation on ground. It should move out of cozy chambers and see for itself what the commoners are facing. Mercury is going down, peoples’ lives are at stake, so something need to be done and done with a sense of urgency.
