Srinagar – The Jammu & Kashmir Government's proposal to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumption during peak hours has drawn sharp criticism from political parties.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari described the proposal as a“grave injustice” to the people of Kashmir.

“KPDCL's proposal to impose a 20% surcharge on power tariffs during peak hours is a grave injustice to people who are already struggling to survive an economic crisis. Most of our population depends on tourism and horticulture-sectors that have suffered massive losses this year. Other businesses are also in decline. In such times, increasing electricity charges for mornings and evenings-when families rely on power the most in freezing cold-cannot be justified,” he wrote.

Bukhari added that the government has a moral duty to consider people's economic hardships before enforcing such a measure.

“With harsh winter days approaching, I urge the authorities: show some mercy to people who are already burdened and suffering,” he said.

Peoples Conference state secretary Sheikh Muhammad Imran also slammed the National Conference-led government for proposing the surcharge.

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