Srinagar: Irfan Mattoo, District President of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) Srinagar, has urged the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Omar-led government to provide immediate relief to poor and economically weaker sections by reviewing and waiving pending electricity bills.
Raising concern over mounting power dues, Mattoo said the burden of high electricity bills has pushed vulnerable households into severe distress. He pointed out that amid rising inflation, unemployment, and sustained economic hardship, poor families are already struggling to make ends meet, and additional financial pressure through electricity arrears is both unjust and inhumane.
Appealing for urgent intervention, Mattoo called upon the Lieutenant Governor to personally step in and ensure that genuine relief reaches deserving households so that they can live with dignity and without fear of disconnection or penalties.
Referring to commitments made during the elections, Mattoo reminded the government led by Omar Abdullah of assurances given to the public, including provisions related to gas cylinders, electricity meters, 10 kilograms of ration per person, and other welfare measures. He stressed that fulfilling these promises is a moral and democratic obligation, particularly towards the poor and marginalised sections of society.
Mattoo further warned that ignoring these genuine concerns would only deepen public resentment and erode trust in governance. “Justice must reach the poor so that they can live peacefully and securely,” he said, adding that failure to act would leave the government solely responsible for growing discontent.
Reiterating his party’s stand, Mattoo said Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference will continue to raise issues concerning the rights and welfare of the poor at every appropriate forum until concrete relief measures are put in place.
