TANGMARG: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday defended his government’s decision to raise electricity tariffs, saying the increase was made out of compulsion and not by choice, while assuring consumers that his government would make every effort to ensure there was no further hike during its tenure.
Addressing a gathering in Tangmarg, Abdullah acknowledged the increase in power rates but said the revision had come after four years, during which inflation had risen substantially.
“They are not wrong in saying that. We increased electricity prices. I accept that. We did not do it out of happiness. We were forced to do it,” Abdullah said.
He said electricity tariffs had been revised after a gap of four years and claimed inflation during the period had risen by around 19 to 20 per cent.
The Chief Minister contrasted the latest increase with previous tariff revisions, alleging that power rates had been raised by about 15 per cent under an earlier government and by around 13.5 to 14 per cent during the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti.
“When these people were in government, when they increased electricity rates four years ago, they increased them by 15 per cent,” he said.
Referring to the PDP-BJP coalition, Abdullah said electricity rates had also been increased during Mehbooba Mufti’s tenure and questioned why those now criticising his government had remained silent at the time.
“Why were they silent then?” he asked.
At the same time, Abdullah acknowledged the burden of the latest increase and sought to reassure electricity consumers.
“I assure you that I will make every possible effort that, God willing, during this government’s tenure and thereafter, we will not increase electricity prices any further,” he said.
Hits Back at Opposition Over Development
The Chief Minister also took on opposition parties for alleging that little development was taking place on the ground.
He said MLAs representing Sangrama, Pattan, Baramulla, Beerwah and Uri were continuously visiting their constituencies and pursuing development works and public demands.
“There is not a single day when my honourable MLAs sitting here — whether from Sangrama, Pattan, Baramulla, Beerwah or Uri — are not moving around their areas for one project or another, some work or another, or in response to some demand from the people,” Abdullah said.
He said the opposition had every right to criticise the government but accused its leaders of ignoring work being undertaken.
“Their job is to go to a place, close their eyes and say that nothing is happening,” he said.
Questions Delay in Tangmarg Fruit Mandi
Abdullah questioned previous representatives over the failure to establish a fruit mandi in Tangmarg despite land already being available for the project.
“I ask those gentlemen who have represented people here for 12, 16 or 18 years: if you had the opportunity, why did you not build a fruit mandi here?” he said.
The Chief Minister said the land earmarked for the mandi was already available and neither fresh acquisition nor removal of encroachments was required.
“This land was there. We did not acquire this land. There was no illegal occupation on this land. We did not have to remove anyone from it. The land was already here,” Abdullah said.
He credited Farooq Shah with pursuing the project with the Lieutenant Governor and said the laying of the foundation stone marked the beginning of a long-awaited development initiative.
Mini-Secretariat Work to Begin This Year
Listing the government’s priorities for the remainder of its tenure, Abdullah said the focus would remain on drinking water, schools, healthcare, roads, fruit markets and development works through panchayats.
“All the promises we have made to the people, God willing, over the next three-and-a-quarter years, we will fulfil all those promises and then present ourselves before you,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Gulmarg-Tangmarg would emerge among the most developed Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir by the end of the government’s term.
“When, after 3.5 years, you look at all the Assembly constituencies, you will find that if there is one constituency among the 90 constituencies that has witnessed the most development, the Gulmarg-Tangmarg constituency will be among them,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister also announced that work on a mini-secretariat in the area would begin this year.
“God willing, this year itself we will start work on this mini-secretariat,” he said.
