DODA, Sep 5: As part of the statewide protests being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party against the recent increase in electricity tariffs, the District Committee of Apni Party Doda on Saturday staged a massive protest against the reported 7 per cent hike in power tariff by the NC-led government.
The protest was led by Apni Party District President Doda Adil Hussain Wani and witnessed the participation of a large number of party leaders, office-bearers and workers. Raising slogans against the tariff hike, the protesters demanded that the government immediately withdraw the decision and provide relief to consumers who, they said, were already facing considerable economic pressures.
Addressing the gathering, Adil Hussain Wani strongly condemned the increase in electricity tariff, describing it as an anti-people decision that would further burden ordinary households as well as small traders and other sections dependent on limited incomes.
“At a time when common people are already reeling under inflation and unemployment, imposing a 7 per cent hike in electricity tariff is unjustified. The government must roll back this decision immediately in the interest of the public,” Wani said.He said the government should have taken into consideration the financial difficulties being faced by common households before increasing the electricity tariff. According to him, higher electricity bills would place an additional burden on families already struggling to meet the rising cost of essential commodities and other household expenses.
Wani further maintained that electricity is an essential service and any increase in its cost has a direct impact on the daily lives of people. He urged the administration to reconsider the decision in view of the public response and withdraw the hike without any further delay.The Apni Party leaders alleged that the tariff increase would adversely affect not only domestic consumers but also shopkeepers, small businesses and other economic activities, where electricity constitutes an important component of monthly expenditure.
The protesters called upon the NC-led government to adopt a more people-centric approach on issues directly affecting the household budgets of citizens. They said that instead of imposing additional financial burdens, the government should work towards strengthening the power infrastructure, improving supply and addressing consumer grievances.The party also appealed to the administration to initiate a dialogue with representatives of consumers and other stakeholders before taking decisions having a direct financial impact on the public.
Prominent leaders and workers who participated in the protest included Pawan Kumar, District President SC Cell Doda; Yasir Zaffar Butt, District Vice President; Tariq Hussain Zargar, District Secretary; Ashok Kumar, District Joint Secretary; Mohd. Farooq Butt, District Secretary; Kamran Ahmed Sheikh, District Secretary Youth; Parvez Ahmed Tantary, Block President Bhalla; Farooq Ahmed Butt; Ajaz Ahmed Rishu; Shib Lal; Mohd. Farooq Malik; Rajesh Bhagat; Mohd. Farooq Tantary; Niaz Ahmed, besides several other prominent leaders and workers of the Apni Party.
The protesters reiterated their demand for the immediate rollback of the 7 per cent electricity tariff hike, stating that the government should prioritise the interests and economic well-being of the people.The Apni Party said its protests against the tariff hike would continue across Jammu and Kashmir and urged the administration to withdraw the decision at the earliest to provide relief to consumers.