Tangmarg, Aug 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday defended his government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs, saying the hike was made out of compulsion rather than choice, while assuring people that his government would not raise power prices any further during its tenure.
Addressing a gathering at Tangmarg, Abdullah also hit out at opposition parties for criticising his government over the tariff increase and questioned their record in government, particularly on development projects in the area.
“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 argued that the electricity tariff increase had come after four years, during which inflation had risen substantially across the country.
“Electricity rates were increased after four years,” he said, adding that inflation during the period had risen by “around 19 or 20 per cent”.
Abdullah contrasted his government’s decision with previous tariff increases, saying electricity rates had been raised by about 15 per cent when the previous government was in power and by around 13.5 to 14 per cent during the PDP-BJP 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 government, Abdullah said, “When the PDP-BJP coalition government was in power, whose sins we are paying for today, electricity rates were also increased when Mehbooba Mufti was chief minister.”
“Why were they silent then?” he asked.
Abdullah nevertheless acknowledged the burden imposed by the latest increase and sought to assure consumers that there would be no further hikes.
“I assure you that I will make every possible effort that, God willing, during this government’s tenure and thereafter, we will not increase electricity prices any further,” he said.
The chief minister also sought to counter criticism that his government and its representatives were not doing enough on the ground. He said MLAs from constituencies including Sangrama, Pattan, Baramulla, Beerwah and Uri were continuously working on projects and responding to demands from residents.
“There is not a single day when my honourable MLAs sitting here — whether from Sangrama, Pattan, Baramulla, Beerwah or Uri — are not moving around their areas for one project or another, some work or another, or in response to some demand from the people,” Abdullah said.
He said opposition parties had a legitimate role in criticising the government but accused them of overlooking their own record in office.
“Their job is to go to a place, close their eyes and say that nothing is happening,” he said.
Abdullah particularly questioned previous representatives over the failure to establish a fruit mandi in Tangmarg despite the land being available.
“I ask those gentlemen who have represented people here for 12, 16 or 18 years: if you had the opportunity, why did you not build a fruit mandi here?” he said.
He stressed that the land on which the mandi is being developed was already available and did not require the government to remove illegal encroachments or acquire fresh land.
“This land was there. We did not acquire this land. There was no illegal occupation on this land. We did not have to remove anyone from it. The land was already here,” Abdullah said.
He credited Farooq Shah with pursuing the project with the Lieutenant Governor and said the laying of the foundation stone represented the beginning of a long-awaited development project.
Abdullah also listed a range of priorities for the remaining tenure of his government, including drinking water, schools, healthcare, roads, fruit markets and development works through panchayats.
“All the promises we have made to the people, God willing, over the next three-and-a-quarter years, we will fulfil all those promises and then present ourselves before you,” he said.
He predicted that Gulmarg-Tangmarg would emerge as one of the most developed Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir by the end of the government’s term.
“When, after 3.5 years, you look at all the Assembly constituencies, you will find that if there is one constituency among the 90 constituencies that has witnessed the most development, the Gulmarg-Tangmarg constituency will be among them,” Abdullah said.
He also announced that work on a mini-secretariat in the area would begin this year.
“God willing, this year itself we will start work on this mini-secretariat,” the chief minister said.
