Former MLA Expresses concern over excessive and irregular power billing, calls for transparency and fair charges
Srinagar: Apni Party’s Vice President and former legislator Usman Majid has called upon the administration to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers during these scorching summer days. He further expressed deep concern regarding the numerous complaints from consumers regarding excessive electricity bills.
In his statement issued here, Usman Majid urged the administration to ensure that people get adequate power supply on these hot summer days, when they need the electricity supply most. He said, “The complaints pouring in from various areas of Jammu and Kashmir suggest that frequent power curtailments in both metered and non-metered areas across the Valley in this soaring summer are inflicting immense hardships and inconveniences upon the people.” He added, “The frequent power outages do not cause inconvenience to domestic consumers only; they also affect the irrigation of farms and orchards as lift irrigation stations become non-operational due to the lack of electricity. The authorities must realise that this is a crucial time for the farmers and orchardists, as failing to provide sufficient water to paddy fields and orchards at this stage will inevitably have adverse effects on the crops.”
He also expressed his profound concern about the alleged excessive billing of domestic consumers. He said, “The public complaints regarding highly irregular and excessive power bills issued by the department cannot be overlooked. It appears that there may be technical issues leading to erroneous bill generation. It is imperative for the concerned officials to take these widespread complaints seriously and diligently investigate the flaws within the bill generating system.” Usman Majid appealed to the LG Administration to address the matter promptly and ensure the proper redressal of complaints pertaining to power curtailments and excessive billings. He said, “The administration must realise that people are already facing tremendous difficulties during these harsh summer days, and the unscheduled power cuts only exacerbate their difficulties. It is imperative for the administration to intervene and hold officials of the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) accountable in addressing this issue.”
