Tariff hike & absence of electricity

At a time when the power paucity has ended up in miseries to the consumers across the Valley, especially in the holy month of Ramadhan, the people from different areas have complained that their monthly power tariff has been hiked despite the areas reeling under darkness for most of the time. As per the reports, the people from different parts of Kashmir have accused the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) of ignoring their plights by forcing them to reel under darkness most of the time. However, as the complaints continue to pour in, the concerned department has opted to hike the monthly tariff of the consumers, which has come as an utter shock to the people. It is imperative to have adequate electricity when the government is mulling to charge the hefty amount from the consumers. Charging upto Rs 1500 to the consumers cannot be expected at a time when the frequent electricity cuts push the consumers to the wall. One fails to understand how the consumers can be forced to pay hefty amounts as their monthly tariff when they don’t receive the electricity adequately. The electricity needs to be ensured before hiking the monthly tariff as it would be unfair with the consumers to pay the hefty sum without getting the proper electricity. It is the time when the government needs to focus on installing the smart meters across the valley, rather than pushing the consumers to lurch at large. Hiking the monthly tariff without ensuring adequate electricity is tantamount to rubbing salt on the wounds of consumers. Therefore, the government needs to take immediate and necessary steps in this regard so that the consumers are not pushed to the wall and they can heave a sigh of relief.