Srinagar, Oct 21 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone has criticised the elected government over the ongoing smart metering drive, alleging that the cable policy was placing an additional financial burden on poor households seeking electricity connections.
In a statement, as per news agency JKNS, Sajad termed the policy “a shocker of a gift for the people of J&K, especially for the poorer sections of society.”
Lone said smart metering was underway and that the company provides only four metres of cable for each household, with two metres for input and two metres for output.
“Anything more than four metres has to be paid for by the household. Otherwise, the household will not get an electricity connection and will be disconnected from the grid,” he said.
Explaining the financial implications, Lone said that the farther a house is from an electric pole, the more cable is required. He alleged that poor households had been forced to pay between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 to get smart meters installed.
Questioning the government’s promise of free electricity, Lone said the ruling dispensation had secured a “windfall in terms of votes” by promising 200 units of free electricity.
“Two years have passed and not a single unit given free,” he said.
Recalling the election campaign, Lone said smart metering had been subjected to “derision and sarcasm and anger” by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, adding that people who had queued up to vote were now being asked to pay to get smart meters installed.
“That actually is a great joke. And the joke is yet again, on those who voted for CM sahib,” Lone said. (JKNS)
