Locals, especially women on Thursday blocked road in Nishat, Srinagar, on the outskirts and staged a massive protest against Power Development Department.
They alleged that PDD is dispatching fatty bills to them every month, exacting extra money from them even though the area faces erratic power cuts.
The protesters raised slogans against Assistant Executive Engineer- Sub Division Dalgate and alleged that the said official is unilaterally dispatching huge power bills to appease his bosses.
The protesters demanded immediate revocation of the electricity bills. They appealed to authorities to look into the matter.
“The AEE – Sub Division Dalgate inflated bills showing increased consumption load every month without any survey or any ground visit,” said a protester to Kashmir News Trust adding that some bills were hiked from rupees 500 a month to rupees 750 and others from 700 to 1500.
The protesters said that unilateral increase of power fee is unacceptable to them and they will not pay any penny till the Department enters into an agreement with them.
“Where is the electricity and we shall we pay such a hefty amount when we witness unscheduled power cuts day in and day out,” the protesters said.
When contacted, an official from PDD said that bills are being dispatched on the basis of consumption of electricity. “We have dispatched bills to consumers keeping their consumption into account,” he said but added matter will still be looked into.