Jammu, 26 August (H.S.): Recent hike in power tariff by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) continues to invite strong criticism of the Government by trade bodies and individuals besides protests by the political parties.

A day after staging protest in Srinagar, PDP activists today held a demonstration in Jammu terming the power tariff hike as a burden on common people.

Led by Varinder Singh Sonu, the PDP activists assembled near Press Club Jammu and staged protest demonstration amid raising of slogans against the NC Government. They pointed out that CM Omar Abdullah had promised 200 units of free electricity before the elections, but has failed to fulfill the promise. They demanded transparency in tariff fixation and questioned charging more when supply remains unreliable with frequent cuts.

Seeking immediate rollback and relief for poor families, farmers, students and small businesses, PDP urged the Government to cut T&D losses and improve efficiency instead of burdening consumers. Ranbir Singh Manga, KK Sharma, E Peter, Sunil Bhat, HS Slathia, Parveen Akhtar, Chattar Saini, Ch Chuni Lal, Narinder Sharma, Karan Bhagat, Mahan Singh, Pankaj Dutt, Vimal Sharma, Titus Gill and others took part in the protest.

Senior BJP leader and former Minister Bali Bhagat has launched a blistering attack on the Omar Abdullah-led Government over the electricity tariff hike, accusing it of betraying the people after securing votes with promises of relief and then burdening households with higher power bills.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar