Won't approve 20% power levy

As opposition parties intensify pressure on the ruling National Conference (NC) over the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited’s (KPDCL) proposal for a 20 per cent surcharge on electricity consumed during peak hours, the NC has asserted that the Chief Minister will not approve the measure.

The party, accusing the opposition of “misinformation”, also said the government was “already working on the expansion of the 0–200-unit subsidised slab”.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also handles the power portfolio, said there was no such proposal before him. “I am the power minister. Till now, there has been no such file, leave alone my signature, there has been no discussion with me on this. There is no such proposal in front of the government whether we will hike the electricity fees or not,” he said.

A major controversy has erupted in the Valley after KPDCL petitioned the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) seeking a 20 per cent surcharge on peak-hour consumption (excluding agricultural consumers). The proposal faced stiff resistance from civil society and, later, from opposition parties during the JERC hearing last week.

NC general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, sharing what he called “a truth note on misinformation”, stated that the proposed 20 per cent surcharge “was filed by KPDCL with JERC on November 20, not by JKNC government”.

“We inherited 28,000 crores in power-purchase debt and over 55 per cent losses in the Valley. Every year the system bleeds more than 5,000 crore. Yet listen carefully, in 2023-24 JERC had approved 15 per cent hike, we removed 15 per cent Electricity Duty, keeping net burden zero. In 2024-25 we absorbed all proposed hikes through subsidies, zero increase for you,” he said.

He added, “This new surcharge? Insha’Allah, it will never get Hon’ble CM’s approval.” “We are already working on the expansion of the 0–200-unit subsidised slab,” he said.

Sagar claimed that certain elements “in the administration and old vested interests” were deliberately spreading lies that “NC did this”.

“Their only aim is to create distrust between you and a government you elected with much faith and sincerity. We see their game, and we know you see it too,” he said, adding, “We are bound by every promise in our manifesto. We walk a thin line, but we walk it for you with our heads bowed and hearts open.”

As the row intensifies, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the authorities of blocking a peaceful protest by the PDP Women’s Wing, saying, “the crushing rise in power tariffs is yet another continuation of the assault on our democratic rights since 2019.”

KPDCL officials maintained that the surcharge proposal was in accordance with the Union government’s amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020.