Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Jan 7: Days after repeated assurances by the government that electricity tariffs won’t be increased, widespread resentment has erupted across several areas in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district over what residents describe as “arbitrary and unbearable” hikes in power tariffs.
According to the details available, villages in Tral including Midoora, as well as Zahid Bagh, Rakh and adjoining habitations of Litter tehsil, are among the worst affected.
Locals alleged that their monthly electricity bills, which hovered around Rs 400–Rs 500 two years ago, have now skyrocketed to Rs 2,080, pushing poor and middle-class families into severe financial distress.
“This is nothing short of injustice,” said Ghulam Mohammad of Midoora, Tral. “We were assured that power tariffs would be rationalised and that poor consumers would be protected. Instead, our bills have quadrupled. How can a daily wager or a small farmer afford this?” he asked.
Similar anger was echoed in Zahid Bagh, where residents claimed that even households with minimal electricity usage are being slapped with inflated bills. “We use electricity only for basic lighting and a few household appliances, yet the bill comes like we are running factories,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.
In Rakh village of Litter tehsil, residents said the hikes have come at a time when unemployment, rising prices of essentials and limited income opportunities have already crippled household budgets. “Electricity is a basic necessity, not a luxury,” said a group of women residents. “The government must understand that most families here live hand to mouth. If this continues, people will be forced to choose between food and electricity.”
Locals also questioned the timing of the hikes, saying they contradict repeated statements by political leaders and officials about providing relief to consumers. “On one hand, the government talks about welfare, and on the other, PDD is burdening us with unaffordable bills,” said a resident of Awantipora. “These assurances now seem hollow.”
Residents across the affected areas have jointly demanded immediate intervention by the government, seeking a rollback of the revised tariffs, rationalisation of electricity bills, and a thorough audit of metering and billing practices. Many have warned that if their grievances are not addressed soon, they will be left with no option but to launch protests.
“We appeal to the administration to step in before the situation worsens,” said a local elder from Rakh Litter. “Poor people simply cannot afford these charges. Electricity should not become a punishment for being poor.”
The affected residents have urged the authorities to honour their assurances and ensure that electricity remains affordable, especially for economically weaker sections in rural Kashmir.
