Kashmir is witnessing renewed public anger after the Power Development Department (PDD) proposed a 20% surcharge on electricity consumed during morning and evening peak hours, weeks after the controversy over smart meters. The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has approached the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) seeking approval for the surcharge across all consumer categories except agriculture. “KPDCL has proposed a 20 percent surcharge on tariff for the peak hours of the day. As of now, no decision has been taken by the regulatory commission,” KPDCL Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad Shah told KNO.
The proposal faced stiff opposition during the JERC hearing, with the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) terming it unreasonable and misleading. “Electricity consumption during these hours is a necessity, not a discretionary choice. Treating it as an additional charge is fundamentally unfair,” KCCI Secretary-General Faiz Ahmad Bakshi argued. The chamber also highlighted Kashmir’s poor power reliability, noting that SAIDI and SAIFI figures for the region are several times higher than the national averages.
Political parties have also condemned the move, calling it insensitive and unjust. Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari said the surcharge was “a grave injustice to people who are already struggling to survive an economic crisis,” urging authorities to “show some mercy” as winter intensifies. Peoples Conference leader Sheikh Muhammad Imran accused the National Conference-led government of going back on its promises. “We were promised 200 free units, yet the same Chief Minister is now arguing for higher rates. This is a complete betrayal,” he said.
