BJP hails J&K govt's move to grant amnesty on power bills

BJP today hailed the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to grant a one-time amnesty to the power consumers, saying it would benefit around 15 lakh people in the state.

The scheme will bring relief to about 15 lakh consumers in the state. People had been demanding some relief in their power bills. The previous governments did not pay any heed, BJP MLA Rajesh Gupta said.

"A benefit to the tune of Rs 250 crores will reach the consumers, waving off 100% interest on pending tariffs and brining down excise duty from 22% to 10. The provision of depositing the principle amount in four instalments will be of great help to the consumers," he said.

BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said reduction in excise duty, abolition of interest and the provision to deposit the principle amount in four instalments are people friendly steps.

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Srinagar on Friday had approved "rationalisation of the electricity duty by reducing the existing rate of 22% to 10 in respect of all consumers from the date of notification."

The Cabinet had also decided to waive off 100% surcharge on outstanding power bills as on August 1, if the consumer makes the outstanding payment by or before March 31, 2016 in maximum of four equal instalments.