Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the increase in electricity tariff was a compulsion for his government; however, he asserted that the 6.83 percent hike was the lowest in recent years.
“Those pointing fingers at me should remember that they have also been in power at some point. During their (PDP-BJP coalition) tenure, the power tariff was raised by 14 percent. At that time, they did not see it as unjust. Four years earlier, there was a 15 percent hike, and again, the BJP remained silent. We have only raised tariffs by 6 percent, and that too after four years,” Abdullah told reporters here.
The chief minister justified the hike in light of rising inflation and prices of other goods.
“How much have inflation and prices gone up during this period? We increased the tariff at the lowest possible rates. We are not celebrating it; it was a compulsion. The more we reduce the (Transmission and Distribution) losses, the less we will have to resort to these measures,” he added.
Abdullah explained that while his government is committed to providing 200 units of free electricity to poor and needy households, he never guaranteed that tariff rates would not rise.
“When did we say that the electricity tariff would not increase? We said we will provide 200 units free to poor households. I have explained repeatedly in the assembly also that we will use the solar panels under the Muft Bijli Yojana to implement this scheme for the people. There is no connection between the rise in power tariff and free electricity,” he added.
When asked about “threats to Kashmiri Pandit employees from terrorist groups”, Abdullah urged the security forces not to take these threats lightly and to conduct a thorough investigation.
“The security apparatus — police and intelligence agencies — should not take these threats lightly and must investigate where these threats are coming from. It is the police’s duty to ensure our employees’ safety. Two years ago, some Pandit employees were targeted under similar circumstances, resulting in significant losses,” he said.
Regarding a reshuffle in his council of ministers, the chief minister said it would happen when needed.
“The work has not stopped; there is no crisis in the government, and operations are ongoing. You asked whether a reshuffle would happen before August 15. I said no. I did not state that it would occur soon after August 15. A reshuffle will take place when needed,” he said.
