Hakeem Yaseen Slams Power Tariff Hike, Seeks Relief for Khag and Reopening of Tourist Destinations
Srinagar, December 14: President of the People’s Democratic Front and former minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Sunday expressed serious concern over the steep increase in electricity tariffs in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the move has intensified hardships for economically weaker sections, particularly in rural and far-flung areas such as Khag in Budgam district.
He said it was unfortunate that people were being burdened with higher power charges despite frequent outages and an unreliable electricity supply. Addressing party workers and local residents at a meeting in Khag subdivision, Yaseen said the area has remained neglected for decades, with basic facilities either missing or existing only on paper.
He demanded an immediate review of the electricity tariff hike and called for special concessions for economically weaker regions like Khag. Terming the higher bills unjust, he said poor households were being charged inflated amounts despite prolonged power cuts, and urged the administration to adopt a more sensitive approach.
Highlighting the lack of basic infrastructure, Yaseen stressed the need to strengthen health, education, drinking water and power sectors in Khag. He said several key institutions, including primary healthcare centres, the Government Degree College and the Industrial Training Institute, have remained closed or non-functional due to official apathy, and called for their immediate revival.
The PDF president also underscored the need for clean drinking water, improved road connectivity, regular electricity supply and employment opportunities for local youth, warning that continued neglect could widen the trust deficit between the public and the administration.
Reiterating his long-standing demand, Yaseen urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to lift the ban on tourist activities at Doodpathri, Yousmarg and Tosamaidan, saying the restrictions have severely affected livelihoods dependent on tourism. He said delegations from these areas recently met him and conveyed their anguish over the continued closure of the destinations.
Hundreds of families dependent on tourism, including shopkeepers, ponywalas, guides and daily wage earners, are facing financial distress, he said, adding that prolonged restrictions have created frustration among youth who had invested their savings in seasonal tourism.
Appealing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Yaseen said there was no justification for continuing the ban as peace and normalcy had returned, and urged the administration to reopen the destinations without delay to allow people to earn a dignified livelihood.
