25/08/2026
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PRESS RELEASE
Power Tariff Hike Is an Additional Burden on Common People: Citizen Rights Protection Council Demands Immediate Review
Srinagar/Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir | August 25, 2026
The Citizen Rights Protection Council (CRPC), Jammu & Kashmir, has strongly expressed concern over the recent revision of electricity tariffs in Jammu & Kashmir and termed the additional financial burden on ordinary consumers unfair and against the larger public interest.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved an average 6.83% increase in electricity tariffs for J&K, with the revised rates scheduled to apply from September 1, 2026.
The Council said that at a time when common households are already facing increasing costs of essential commodities, education, healthcare, transport and other basic necessities, another increase in electricity bills will place additional pressure on families, particularly low-income households, middle-class consumers, farmers, small shopkeepers and economically weaker sections.
Government Must Put Public Interest First
Ishtiyaq Rasool, Additional Director State, Citizen Rights Protection Council, said that electricity is not a luxury but an essential public service and the affordability of power must remain a priority of the administration.
«“The people of Jammu & Kashmir cannot continuously be asked to bear the financial burden of systemic gaps in the power sector. Before increasing tariffs, the authorities must explore every possible avenue for reducing losses, improving collection efficiency, controlling wastage and strengthening the distribution system.”»
The Council acknowledges that JERC is the statutory regulatory authority responsible for tariff determination. However, the J&K Government has a significant responsibility to protect consumers through appropriate subsidy support, policy intervention and representation before the regulatory authority. The recent order itself factors in substantial government financial support to bridge part of the revenue gap.
CRPC DEMANDS
The Citizen Rights Protection Council calls upon the Omar Abdullah-led J&K Government to:
1. Immediately review the impact of the revised electricity tariff on ordinary consumers.
2. Take up the matter with JERC for reconsideration/review in the larger public interest.
3. Explore additional government subsidy/support so that the burden does not fall disproportionately on common households.
4. Protect low-consumption domestic consumers from further financial hardship.
5. Conduct a transparent review of power-sector losses, revenue collection, transmission and distribution efficiency before placing additional burden on consumers.
6. Ensure that consumers receive reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply corresponding to the charges being recovered.
7. Publicly disclose the government's roadmap for fulfilling its commitments concerning affordable electricity for the people of J&K.
CRPC ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM
The Citizen Rights Protection Council hereby gives the J&K Government a public-interest ultimatum to initiate a meaningful review and place a consumer-protection mechanism before the people without delay.
If the government fails to take meaningful corrective measures, the Council will be compelled to escalate the matter through lawful and democratic means, including representation before the competent regulatory authorities and other appropriate constitutional/legal forums, besides conducting a peaceful public-awareness campaign against the additional burden on electricity consumers.
This is not a political fight. This is a fight for the rights and economic well-being of the common people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Council urges the administration to listen to the concerns of consumers and reconsider the financial impact of the tariff revision before ordinary families are forced to choose between electricity bills and other essential household expenses.
“Affordable Electricity Is a Public Necessity — Not a Luxury.”
Issued by:
Ishtiyaq Rasool
Additional Director State
Citizen Rights Protection Council
Jammu & Kashmir
Information & PR, J&K
Office of LG, J&K
Office of Chief Minister, J&K
Omar Abdullah