Privatization of electricity will affect public right to energy: J&K NC

July 24: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference today expressed concern over the proposed move of Government to privatize power distribution companies (DISCOM) in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the measure will have great effect on people’s right to free energy.

While expressing the policy of privatization of power distribution sector (DISCOM) in Jammu and Kashmir, Party’s Members Parliament Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi said the ongoing situation and the previous clampdown have broken the back of J&K’s economy and that the privatization of power distribution will further push people to wall.

“The measure will majorly hit the BPL consumers, and middle class, and farmers who have already been at the receiving end due to the untoward situation prevailing in J&K since 2016.

As per the new proposed privatization measure, a Central enforcement authority may be set up which will dis-empower the Regulatory Commissions and will further add to the centralization of power authority in wake of no consideration for problems faced by locals,” they said.

Referring to the proposed measure as anti- poor, National Congress MPs said the proposed privatization will snatch the access to electricity from economically challenged sections of the society. “The decision is solely a prerogative of a popularly elected Government,” they said adding, “Economy activity in J&K has shrunk since 2014 due to the deluge of 2014, and the subsequent upheaval of 2016, the post August 5 clampdown and the latest COVID-19 induced lockdown.”