Srinagar: Former Cabinet Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir has sharply criticised the government for imposing a 20% surcharge on electricity bills, calling it a direct betrayal of the promises made to the people.
Mir, in his statement posted on Twitter, wrote: “So-called people’s govt who had promised free two hundred units of power to every household monthly is now charging 20% surcharge in winter when more power is needed.”
He said that this decision reflects “a complete collapse of governance”, as the administration had publicly committed to providing 200 units of free electricity per month, yet is now burdening people during the harshest months of winter. “Instead of giving relief, they are penalising the people. This is not public service — this is betrayal,” he said.
Mir added that families across Jammu & Kashmir are already struggling with inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs. The winter surcharge, he noted, further exposes the government’s growing disconnect from ground realities.
He urged the administration to immediately roll back the 20% surcharge, honour its commitment of free electricity, and stop adding unnecessary financial strain on the public. “Governments must ease people’s lives, not make them harder — especially in winter,” he said.