Sajad Lone cites NC manifesto to counter CM’s claim

Srinagar, Aug 24: Hours after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah claimed that the National Conference had not promised relaxation in electricity tariffs, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone shared a page from the party manifesto in which the NC had pledged to explore feasible ways to provide some respite in power tariff.
In a post on X, Lone said he was attaching the relevant page of NC’s manifesto to rejig the CM’s memory. “And CM sahib has made a statement that he never said that he will not increase tariffs. To rejig CM sahib’s memory I am attaching the relevant page from NC election manifesto,” Lone wrote. He further said that the CM and National Conference are not telling the people of Jammu & Kashmir that the Punjab government is providing 300 units of free electricity to all domestic consumers and Himachal Pradesh 125 units. “AAP’s Bhagwant Mann took oath as Punjab Chief Minister in 2022 and rolled out the free electricity scheme in the same year. All domestic consumers in Punjab are receiving 300 units of free power. As per the 2026–27 tariff order released by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the scheme continues. Lakhs of families in Punjab are receiving zero electricity bills, and the Punjab government has repeatedly claimed that 90% of households are getting zero bills,” Lone said.
He added that all domestic consumers in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh are receiving 125 units of free electricity. “All domestic consumers in Himachal Pradesh have been receiving 125 units of free electricity since 2022—a scheme first introduced by then Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and continued by his successor and incumbent Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Lakhs of families in HP are benefiting from free electricity,” Lone said.
Lone accused the CM and the ruling National Conference (NC) of going back on their election promise of providing relief in electricity tariffs.
Lone pointed out that the recent 6.8% tariff hike translates into an additional burden of over Rs 500 crore on consumers.
He said unsuspecting families were waiting for the promised 200 units of free electricity per month, but instead faced higher bills.
He added that in non‑metered areas, household load was increased, raising bills by nearly 10%.
Lone further the free power promise was later restricted only to AAY ration card holders, covering about 200,000 families.
He calculated that over 22 months, each consumer is owed 4400 units of free electricity, equal to Rs 11000 per household.
For 200000 families, Lone said, this amounts to Rs 220 crore. “CM sahib owes 2200 crore to the people and has the audacity to put a burden of 500 crore,” Lone charged. (KNO)