SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is examining the possibility of reintroducing or extending the power consumers’ Amnesty Scheme, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday, while cautioning that repeated waivers could undermine the culture of timely bill payment.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Vikram Randhawa during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Power portfolio, said the matter was being examined by the concerned department on its merits.
The Chief Minister said the Government could consider providing relief to people living below the poverty line and other underprivileged consumers on a case-to-case basis.
He, however, stressed that repeatedly announcing amnesty schemes would be unfair to consumers who regularly pay their electricity bills on time and could encourage others to delay payments in anticipation of future waivers.
“Giving amnesty repeatedly is injustice with those who pay bills on time and it also encourages consumers not to pay bills on time and wait for amnesty,” Omar Abdullah said.
The response came in the context of a question seeking details regarding the proposed extension of the power amnesty scheme.
