The residents of multiple areas from Budgam area up in arms against the sudden rise in electricity charges and the frequent cuts in the Kashmir valley.
Last week, the residents in large number gathered outside the D.C. Office to voice their grievances against the alarming rise in electricity bills and a constant power outage.
“We request the D.C. to kindly relieve us of the difficulty of high electricity bills. We are here to protest against such misery that we go through on a daily basis,” said a demonstrator.
Locals claimed that in the last five months, there has been a continuous rise in electricity bills, which has proved difficult for people.
The demonstrator added, “We want the administration to revoke the hike in electricity prices, because such policies are anti- poor.”
The people claimed that two years ago, in 2022, the usual electricity bill was around 375 rupees, and it was in the first part of 2023, that an increment of thirty percent was made, raising the bill to around 550 rupees.
The people had registered a protest outside the D.C. Office at that time as well, but their pleas went unheard.
“After the months of June and July, the prices have sky-rocketed. The bills now range from 1350 to 1800 rupees, which is unacceptable,” he said.
They argued that the electricity that Kashmir produces isn’t provided to them.
“How will we manage with electricity for just an hour, and then be expected to pay a bill of more than 1500 rupees,” the demonstrator said.
They also complained about the condition of electric wires and poles.
“The electric wires in Khan Sahab constituency are in terrible condition. They haven’t been replaced in forty years, and if there is an electric fault somewhere, electricity dies down for two days. Trees are used as electric poles, and it is a matter of shame for the PDD, ” he added.