J&K Assembly erupts: What’s behind BJP protest over power tariffs, NHM jobs and workers’ demands
Unruly scenes were witnessed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators staged a protest on the opening day of the autumn session. The members raised issues including the hike in power tariffs, the demands of National Health Mission (NHM) employees and the regularisation of daily wagers.
The BJP MLAs entered the well and staged a sit-in protest in front of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, raising slogans over the issues. Reports from the opening day of the session cited by news agencies said the legislators were seeking action on the demands of NHM employees and opposing the electricity tariff hike.
The NHM employees have been raising demands related to a job policy, job security, retirement benefits, social security and coverage under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), among other pending issues.
Increase in electricity tariffs
The issue of electricity tariffs has also emerged as a major point of contention on the opening day of the Assembly session. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approved an average 6.83% increase in electricity tariffs in Jammu and Kashmir, with the revised tariffs taking effect from September 1.
J&K Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the Assembly session was an opportunity to raise issues concerning the people.
“It is about people’s hopes and expectations. People of J&K have their eyes on the session to see what the J&K Govt will say for the people, what promises it has fulfilled, and what its plans are. It is the responsibility of the Opposition to raise the voice of the section which has been overlooked. I am hopeful that the session will be positive for the welfare of the people,” Sharma said.
For metered domestic consumers, the energy charge is fixed at ₹2.45 per unit for monthly consumption up to 200 units. Those consuming between 201 and 400 units will pay ₹4.20 per unit, while those consuming above 400 units will pay ₹4.60 per unit.
The tariff revision was made after JERC assessed the revenue requirements of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
The commission estimated the combined annual revenue requirement of the two distribution companies at ₹10,275.72 crore. However, their projected revenue under the existing tariff was ₹7,352.87 crore, leaving a shortfall of ₹2,922.85 crore.
Outside the assembly, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party leaders staged a protest near the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar over various issues, including the reservation policy. Police detained some of the protesting leaders, according to the visuals and statements provided.
Apni Party leader Mohammad Ashraf Mir said, “We have come here today specifically to protest against the reservation policy… Where is the report on it prepared? An assurance was given that the reservation policy would be made public within six months, but people—especially students in the open merit category—have been misled so far. Two years have passed, yet the government has not budged an inch.”
Mir further said, “The issue of reservation is a very serious matter. Despite holding degrees, our youth are unable to achieve anything; they have fallen victim to drugs and unemployment and are in distress.”
He also criticised the functioning of the Assembly, saying, “MLAs keep fighting among themselves in the Assembly, squabbling and wasting resources. No decision that benefits the people is emerging from there. We have come to remind them—whether it is the National Conference or the opposition—that the people’s issues must be addressed.”
PDP MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi said the party would raise issues concerning reservation, NHM employees and students during the session.
“As far as the Assembly session is concerned, we aim to raise the issues of J&K in the House, be it reservation, National Health Mission (NHM) employees or anything else. Student fraternity is on the streets. We will make every effort to raise these issues and make the government accept demands,” Mehdi said.
‘Issues concerning basic public services’
JKNC MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan said the party would raise issues concerning basic public services and the demand for the restoration of statehood.
“All the issues of people, be it water, electricity or any other issue. This time too, I am hopeful that the government will respond to these issues and give a solution. We will raise the public issues,” Khan said.
He added, “Our party has always said that the issues of special status and statehood are a priority. Until our last breath, we will continue to fight for what has been snatched away from us. It will be restored.”
Despite holding degrees, our youth are unable to achieve anything; they have fallen victim to drugs and unemployment and are in distress.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s autumn session is scheduled from September 21 to September 30, according to the official Assembly portal. The session comprises seven sittings, with legislators expected to raise issues including employment, reservation, regularisation of workers, power tariffs and other public concerns.
