JAMMU, Aug 29: J&K Apni Party (JKAP) Provincial President S. Manjit Singh on Saturday led a massive protest in Gandhi Nagar here against the National Conference-led government over the recent 6.84 per cent hike in electricity tariff, accusing the government of burdening consumers despite continued power cuts and rising electricity bills.Carrying party flags and placards, a large number of JKAP workers raised slogans against the government, including “Omar Abdullah Hai Hai” and “NC Government Hai Hai”. They also raised the slogan, “Bijli Pani De Na Sake, Woh Sarkar Nikami Hai”, alleging that the administration had failed to provide adequate basic services to the people.
Addressing media persons during the protest, Manjit Singh sharply criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government and the Congress, which he described as its supporting ally, over the tariff hike. He said the decision had come at a time when ordinary consumers were already struggling with prolonged power cuts and what he termed inflated electricity bills.
“People are being forced to pay more for electricity even when they continue to face unscheduled power cuts. The government cannot claim to provide relief to the people while simultaneously increasing their financial burden,” Manjit Singh said.He also sought to remind the National Conference of the promises made during the Assembly election campaign. According to him, the NC had promised 200 units of free electricity, one lakh government jobs in a year, 12 LPG cylinders, and regularisation of daily wagers, contractual and ad hoc employees.
Manjit Singh alleged that nearly two years after the government assumed office, the major promises made to voters remained unfulfilled.“People voted for change and were given a long list of assurances. But nearly two years have passed and the people are still waiting for the promises to be implemented,” he said, alleging that the government had failed to deliver on its key commitments.The JKAP leader questioned the justification for increasing the power tariff when consumers were yet to see a corresponding improvement in electricity supply.
He said the installation of smart meters had raised expectations that power distribution and billing would become more transparent and efficient, but, according to him, consumers were still complaining about unscheduled power cuts and high electricity bills.
Manjit Singh also rejected the government’s argument that the present increase was comparatively minor and that previous governments had also revised power tariffs.“If previous governments increased the power tariff, the people of J&K rejected them and removed them from power. The present government cannot justify its decision simply by pointing fingers at its predecessors,” he said.
He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the 6.84 per cent tariff hike, warning that JKAP would intensify its agitation across Jammu and Kashmir if the decision was not rolled back.“Apni Party will not remain a mute spectator when the interests of the common people are being ignored. We will continue to raise public issues and take the concerns of the people to every appropriate forum,” he said.
The JKAP Provincial President also questioned the role of the BJP’s 29 MLAs, particularly with regard to issues affecting people in the Jammu region.He asked why the BJP legislators were not taking up the concerns of consumers and other sections of society more aggressively, alleging that important public issues were being overshadowed by political confrontation between the ruling National Conference and the BJP.
Manjit Singh also criticised what he described as the continuing “blame game” between the NC government and the BJP over administrative functioning.He rejected the NC government’s allegations that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was obstructing its work, describing such claims as “a white lie”. At the same time, he criticised the BJP for alleging that the NC government was deliberately preventing or failing to implement proposed development works.
“The people are suffering because both sides are busy blaming each other. The government blames the LG, while the BJP blames the government. This passing of the buck is not going to solve the problems of ordinary citizens,” Manjit Singh said.He alleged that political parties in power and opposition were focusing excessively on accusations and counter-accusations while issues such as electricity, water supply, employment and the regularisation of employees continued to affect thousands of families.
Calling the NC-led administration a “suit-boot ki sarkar”, Manjit Singh accused it of being insensitive towards the problems confronting the common people.He said JKAP would continue to act as a voice of the public and would organise further protests if the government failed to address the electricity tariff issue and other concerns raised by the people.The protest concluded with JKAP workers reiterating their demand for withdrawal of the tariff hike and warning of a wider agitation across the Union Territory if the government failed to respond.
Prominent among those who participated in the protest were Apni Party Provincial Vice President Arun Kumar Chiber; Provincial Secretary and In-charge Trade Wing Ajaz Kazmi; Provincial Secretary and In-charge Minority Wing Balbir Singh; Jammu Urban District President Abhay Bakaya; Samba District President Raman Thapa; RS Pura Rural District President B. Harpreet Singh; Udhampur District President Hans Raj Dogra; Kisan Wing President Badrinath Sharma; OBC Wing In-charge Bhagat Ram; SC Wing President Bodh Raj Bhagat; party spokespersons Sahil Bharti and Raqeeq Khan; Jammu Province Women Wing President Pavneet Kour; and Social Media In-charge Vaibhav Mattoo.A large number of party workers and supporters from different parts of the Jammu region also joined the demonstration, lending support to the demand for withdrawal of the power tariff hike and highlighting what they described as the government’s failure to address pressing public grievances.