Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday defended his government’s decision to raise electricity tariffs, saying the increase was made out of compulsion and not by choice, while assuring consumers that his government would make every effort to ensure there was no further hike during its tenure.
“They are not wrong in saying that. We increased electricity prices. I accept that. We did not do it out of happiness. We were forced to do it,” Abdullah said.
He said electricity tariffs had been revised after a gap of four years and claimed inflation during the period had risen by around 19 to 20 per cent.
The Chief Minister contrasted the latest increase with previous tariff revisions, alleging that power rates had been raised by about 15 per cent under an earlier government and by around 13.5 to 14 per cent during the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti.
“When these people were in government, when they increased electricity rates four years ago, they increased them by 15 per cent,” he said.
Referring to the PDP-BJP coalition, Abdullah said electricity rates had also been increased during Mehbooba Mufti’s tenure and questioned why those now criticising his government had remained silent at the time.
“Why were they silent then?” he asked.
