AP Sr Vice Presided Gh Hassan Mir criticises govt for imposing 20% surcharge on electricity consumption; demands its roll-back

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 21 (STC): Former minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir has sharply criticised the government for imposing a 20% winter surcharge on electricity bills, calling it a direct betrayal of the promises made to the people. He has urged the administration to immediately roll back the 20% surcharge and stop adding unnecessary financial strain on the public.
In a statement posted on x, Mir said, “So-called people’s govt who had promised free two hundred units of power to every household monthly is now charging 20% surcharge in winter when more power is needed.”
He said that this decision reflects a complete collapse of governance, as the administration had publicly committed to providing 200 units of free electricity per month, yet is now burdening people during the harshest months of winter. “Instead of giving relief, they are penalising the people. This is not public service — this is betrayal,” he said.
He further stated that families across Jammu & Kashmir are already struggling with inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs. The winter surcharge, he noted, further exposes the government’s growing disconnect from ground realities.
“Governments must ease people’s lives, not make them harder — especially in winter,” he said.
(Straight Talk Communications)