Srinagar, (CNI): Locals on Friday staged a protest at Zaina Kadal Chowk in central Kashmir Srinagar district against a hike in monthly power tariff. 

 

the protesters assembled at Zaina Kadal Chowk after Friday congregational prayers and raised slogans against the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) for a two-fold increase in monthly electricity fees.

 

The areas which protested against the hike in electricity include Zainakadal, Dallal Mohalla, Chamdoori, Nawab Bazar, Syed Hameedpora and other adjacent sites.

 

The protest, which commenced from Zaina Kadal Chowk with shouting of slogans, was stopped at Nawab Bazar from where the protesters were not allowed by police to proceed.

 

“Most of the people residing in Zaina Kadal, Nawab Bazar and other adjoining areas are poor and cannot afford to pay extra fees. They have made a 100% hike in electricity fee as we received electricity bills double the amount for April 2024,” one of the protesters said.

 

I was earlier paying Rs. 1040 per month, but now April month’s bill has been issued at Rs. 2080, which they are asking me to pay despite no electricity for the most part of the day, another protester, Mukhtar Ahmad, said.

 

“People living in these areas are ones barely making their both ends meet, with meagre monthly income. The abrupt increase in power tariff is an injustice to us,” they said.

 

Besides, they also warned to take a stern step if the hike in electricity fee is not rolled back and have decided to hold a meeting in this regard on the 19th of May i.e. Sunday.(CNI)