“The rise in tariffs on basic social services like power amid rising inflation consequently does not reduce but increases stress on common man in Jammu & Kashmir where Government does not control even prices of essential commodities in local markets”
The speculations about the installation of water meters are going viral on social media sites barely few months after unprecedented rise in power tariff rates just before the assembly elections. People this winter pay monthly power tariff bills in the range of Rs 4000-12000 through power payment portals of the Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKPDCL) but yet again don’t get the hassle free power supply in the areas where pre-paid smart meters have been installed . Yet to recover from the burden of huge power bills paid during chilly months of winter the people are panicked by the speculations about the installation of water meters. Government does not refute the speculations about installation of water meters to end the chaos ahead of the budget session of the assembly likely to be held in March after a gape of more than five years this year. A simple statement that has come from Chief Engineer (Kashmir) Jal Shakti Department won’t satisfy people till the Administrative Secretary Jal Shaki Department or Minister holding the portfolio of Jal Shakti Department refutes the reports about installation of water meters going viral on social media in Jammu & Kashmir. Tax exemption upto monthly income of Rs 12 lacs announced by Central Government in this year’s budget is undoubtedly a huge respite to the middle class in the country but rising inflation does not reduce the stress on the common man more in Jammu & Kashmir and less in other parts of the country. The rise in tariffs on basic social services like power amid rising inflation consequently does not reduce but increases stress on common man in Jammu & Kashmir where Government does not control even prices of essential commodities in local markets. The Government does not even seek a simple explanation from top functionaries of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs (FCS&CA) department for delaying the restoration of price control procedures after recent row on prices of local breads.
“While the people of low income groups are bearing the brunt of power tariff rise during winters in Kashmir, the people of high income groups are experiencing a drop of 50% power tariff rates in rented or family owned houses in several metropolitan cities of the country where they settle for 2-3 months in peak winter periods. Such unprecedented rise in power tariff plans demand and deserve an immediate review besides a clarification over speculations about installation of water meters across Jammu & Kashmir. Forget about the promises of 200 units free power facility and12 gas cylinders annual concession the incumbent Government can bring a huge respite to people by bringing down the power tariff rates and restoring the price control procedures for controlling the prices of essential commodities through enforcement win of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department.”
Inflation is bound to rise when Government gives up the control over the regulation of prices of the essential commodities in local markets. Government blindly giving up control over prices of essential commodities and increasing tariffs on basic facilities like power would only bring under stress the people of low income groups including the one called “Below the Poverty Line” (BPL). While the people of low income groups are bearing the brunt of power tariff rise during winters in Kashmir, the people of high income groups are experiencing a drop of 50% power tariff rates in rented or family owned houses in several metropolitan cities of the country where they settle for 2-3 months in peak winter periods. Such unprecedented rise in power tariff plans demand and deserve an immediate review besides a clarification over speculations about installation of water meters across Jammu & Kashmir. Forget about the promises of 200 units free power facility and12 gas cylinders annual concession the incumbent Government can bring a huge respite to people by bringing down the power tariff rates and restoring the price control procedures for controlling the prices of essential commodities through enforcement win of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department.
