Locals protest over inflated power bills in Srinagar’s Downtown

Locals protest over inflated power bills in Srinagar’s Downtown

Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, May 17 (KNO): Residents of several parts of Downtown in Srinagar on Friday staged a protest against ‘inflated monthly electricity bills’.

As per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), residents from parts of downtown including Zaina Kadal, Ali Kadal, Pathar Masjid, and Dallal Mohalla areas raised slogans against the KPDCL.

The protesters alleged that they have been receiving bills ranging from Rs 2000 to 2500 that too without the installation of smart meters in their localities.

“We are shocked to receive such high electricity bills when there are no smart meters installed in our area,” said a resident of Zaina Kadal, echoing the sentiments of many protesters. “It’s unfair and unjust to burden us with bills that do not reflect our actual consumption,” he added.

“We stand united in demanding transparency and fairness in electricity bills,” said Sahil, a protester from Aali Kadal, adding the authorities need to address their issue promptly.

He said five to six months ago, they were receiving a bill of about Rs 600 to 700 but the authorities have almost doubled the charges without any notice. “If the load is the same, how come it happens that the bill doubles in just five months?” he asked.

“We urge the authorities to look into this matter seriously and provide us with accurate billing based on our actual electricity consumption,” said Zahid from Pathar Masjid Srinagar—(KNO)