Jammu and Kashmir opposition protests electricity tariff hike

Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Apni Party, held protests in Srinagar against a recent electricity tariff hike. The increase, ordered by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission, averages 6.83 per cent for consumers of the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited.

The revised tariffs are scheduled to take effect on September 1. Protesters criticized the National Conference-led government, arguing that the hike contradicts election promises to provide 200 free electricity units to households monthly. Demonstrators expressed concerns that the increase will place an additional financial burden on citizens already struggling with rising costs.

In response to the criticism, the National Conference stated that Jammu and Kashmir maintains the lowest tariffs in every category compared to other northern states such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.