Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Friday strongly opposed KPDCL’s proposal to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity tariffs during peak hours, calling it an “unjust and insensitive move” at a time when people are already battling severe economic distress.
Bukhari said the majority of Kashmir’s population depends on tourism and horticulture—two key sectors that have suffered major setbacks this year—while other local businesses are also witnessing a decline. “In such a situation, increasing electricity charges for mornings and evenings, when households need power the most in freezing temperatures, cannot be justified,” he said in a post on X.
He added that the government has a moral responsibility to assess ground realities and consider people’s hardships before taking any such decision.
“With harsh winter days approaching, I urge the authorities to show some mercy to people who are already burdened and suffering,” Bukhari appealed.
