Postpone smart meters installation , provide free power supply to consumers : Hakeem tells JK Govt

Srinagar|May, 29: Saying that installation of smart meters have created a wave of concern among the turmoil hit people of Jammu and Kashmir , Chairman  Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Front ( J&K PDF ) and former Minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has urged the Jammu & Kashmir Government to provide free electricity to the consumers especially living below the poverty level and middle class families . He said 30 years long turmoil followed by back to back covid-19 lock downs for about 3 years , have left the people bankrupt , by severally hitting their financial conditions and livelihood . He said people of Jammu and Kashmir were desperately in need of adequate price support from the government for their survival and sustenance .
Addressing deputations from Khansahib and Budgam areas ,who called on him on Sunday , Hakeem said that common people in Jammu and Kashmir were concerned over the installation of smart meters and assured the delegations that their genuine grievances in this regard would be earnestly brought into the notice higher authorities for redressal . He said that the government should come to the rescue of the common people whose socio economical conditions have been severely hit by the decades old turmoil followed by back to back Covid- 19 lock downs for about last 3 years . He said as a welfare state , government was duty bound to provide adequate safeguards and market support to the people on socio economical fronts for sustenance and survival.
Referring to the demands of the people of Khansahib constituency , Hakeem Yaseen sought personal intervention of LG Manoj Sinha to start execution of work on two mini hydel power houses one each over Nallah Sukhnag and Nallah Shaliganga adding that both the power houses stand approved technically and financially by the planning and development department . He said construction of these power projects was primarily important for socio economical transformation of the area . He said on completion of the twin hydel power projects , district Budgam as a whole would become self sufficient in power generation . He also assured the deputations that their demand for execution of work on the proposed power grid station at Khansahib would also be taken up with the higher authorities . ” I once more urge LG Manoj Sinha to start execution of work on the power grid station at Khansahib .He said construction of the proposed grid station at Khansahib would ensure 24 hours assured electricity supply in the whole Khansahib constituency besides
parts of Budgam and Chadoora tehsils .
PDF Chairman also shared concern of the people on reports about proposed new ration supply scheme adding that supply of food grains to the consumers of under various categories should be continued without any modifications or change . He said majority of the people in Jammu and Kashmir need ration supply on subsidised rates through government ration depots . ” Government can not leave consumers at the mercy of private agencies and traders in the market ,” Hakeem  said adding that people should be provided market support to keep the prices of essential commodities at control .