JAMMU, Aug 22: Vice President Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K and former minister Priya Sethi today lambasted the National Conference (NC)-led Jammu and Kashmir government following the news reports of Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission’s approval of an average 6.83% hike in electricity tariffs.
Striking heavily at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sethi termed the decision effective from September 1, 2026, as a “gross betrayal and a new shock” for the common people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a strongly worded statement, Priya Sethi questioned the administrative direction of the current dispensation, accusing it of exploiting emotions during election campaigns.
“The NC government came to power making lofty promises, chief among which was providing 200 units of free electricity to every household. Instead of delivering on that relief, they have given the public an economic shock by hiking power tariffs right before the winter season,” Sethi said. “The common consumer in Jammu and Kashmir is left asking: where is the free power we were promised?”
Highlighting the compounding economic distress in the Union Territory, Sethi pointed out that the Omar Abdullah administration has completely failed on key fronts, including employment and economic development.
“Where is this government heading? There are no jobs for our youth, no economic avenues, and inflation is breaking the back of ordinary families. When the people have no reliable means of livelihood, why is the government burdening them with higher bills?” she asked.
Priya Sethi demanded that the Omar Abdullah government immediately roll back any burden falling on local consumers and fulfill its core election manifesto commitments without further delay or excuses.