Omar Abdullah defends J&K power tariff hike, says rise is minimal SRINAGAR: Chief minister Omar Abdullah Monday defended the power tariff hike in Jammu & Kashmir, saying the increase was minimal and that his govt had never promised that electricity rates would not increase.“When did we say that electricity rates will not increase? We said we will provide 200 units of free electricity to the poorest people, those who need it the most,” he said.Hitting back at political parties protesting the tariff hike, Omar said there had been only a 6% increase after a gap of four years, whereas it was much higher earlier. “Those who point fingers at me should remember that they too were in power here at some point. During their govt, electricity rates increased by more than 14%. They did not feel at that time that this was unfair,” he said. “Four years ago, electricity rates were increased by 15%, and even then, BJP remained silent.”“We are not celebrating an increase in electricity rates. This was our compulsion. As our losses in the power sector reduce, we will not need to take such steps,” the CM added.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHis statement came amid criticism that the tariff hike is at odds with the National Conference’s election promise of providing 200 units of free electricity.From Sept 1, consumers in Jammu & Kashmir will get higher power bills after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission Saturday approved a 6.83% tariff hike across consumer categories.PDP staged a protest seeking a rollback of the tariff hike on Monday. BJP and People’s Conference, too, criticised the move, accusing the govt of burdening the common people.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration BlowJaishankar Meets Putin In Moscow, India-Russia Trade Soars As Both Sides Target $100 Billion By 2030Fresh Kashmiri Pandit Threat: Hit List Reveals Addresses, Phone Numbers, Vehicle Details OnlineDelhi-NCR Rain Fury: Gurugram Under Orange Alert, Work From Home Advisory Issued For August 25’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash
SRINAGAR: Chief minister Omar Abdullah Monday defended the power tariff hike in Jammu & Kashmir, saying the increase was minimal and that his govt had never promised that electricity rates would not increase.“When did we say that electricity rates will not increase? We said we will provide 200 units of free electricity to the poorest people, those who need it the most,” he said.Hitting back at political parties protesting the tariff hike, Omar said there had been only a 6% increase after a gap of four years, whereas it was much higher earlier. “Those who point fingers at me should remember that they too were in power here at some point. During their govt, electricity rates increased by more than 14%. They did not feel at that time that this was unfair,” he said. “Four years ago, electricity rates were increased by 15%, and even then, BJP remained silent.”“We are not celebrating an increase in electricity rates. This was our compulsion. As our losses in the power sector reduce, we will not need to take such steps,” the CM added.
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His statement came amid criticism that the tariff hike is at odds with the National Conference’s election promise of providing 200 units of free electricity.From Sept 1, consumers in Jammu & Kashmir will get higher power bills after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission Saturday approved a 6.83% tariff hike across consumer categories.PDP staged a protest seeking a rollback of the tariff hike on Monday. BJP and People’s Conference, too, criticised the move, accusing the govt of burdening the common people.
