Srinagar : Speaker Legislative Assembly Ab Rahim Rather has extended warm greetings to the people on the holly occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He urged the people to follow the Prophet’s universal message of love, mercy, compassion, and brotherhood to build a peaceful and harmonious society. He said that the timeless teachings of the final messenger guide humanity toward kindness, justice, and self-improvement.
Rather has also greeted the people on the occasion of annual urs of Sultan Ali Aali Bulkhi (ra) bieng observed at Pakarpora from 25th August. He prayed that these holy occasions may prove harbinger of lasting peace and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Rather has urged the administration to ensure fool proof arrangements for smooth observance of the religious festival and maintain an uninterrupted
power supply at Hazratbal and other major shrines and khangahs across the state including reverred shrines of chrari sharief and pakherpora in Budgam district.
He has enjoined upon the PHE department to ensure un interrupted water supply during the religious festival and keep water tankers
available to meet any exegency.
” To ensure convenient movement of devotees,
SRTC and ARTOs should deploy
adequate passenger vehicles for devotees . The Municipalties and local bodies should
undertake extensive san-
itation and cleanliness drives
at Hazratbal Shrine and other major shrines across jammu and kashmir”, Rather has stressed.
Power Tariff Hike Is Anti-People Policy, Says Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana
Srinagar, August 23, 2026: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana strongly criticised the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir Government over the increase in electricity tariffs, terming it an “anti-people policy” and an additional burden on ordinary households.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the State Office Bearers’ meeting in Srinagar today, where he lambasted the government for increasing electricity tariffs and accused it of burdening the poor and common people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved an average 6.83 percent increase in electricity tariffs, effective from September 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Under the revised metered domestic rates, consumers using up to 200 units per month will pay ₹2.45 per unit, compared with ₹2.30 earlier; consumption between 201 and 400 units will be charged at ₹4.20 per unit, compared with ₹4.00; while consumption above 400 units will be charged at ₹4.60 per unit, compared with ₹4.35. Fixed charges have also been increased to ₹10 per kW per month.
Khatana said that increasing electricity tariffs at a time when people are already facing rising household expenses reflects the government’s anti-people approach. He said the decision places an unnecessary financial burden on families, particularly the poor and middle class.
He accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of a breach of trust, saying that the people had expected relief and fulfilment of commitments rather than higher charges for essential services.
Describing the tariff increase as an “open jazia on the people of Jammu”, Khatana said the government should withdraw the hike and provide relief to ordinary consumers instead of adding to their financial difficulties.
He demanded greater transparency on the rationale behind the tariff revision and urged the administration to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest.
Khatana reiterated that the BJP would continue to raise the concerns of the common people and oppose policies that impose additional economic burdens on the citizens of J&k.
