Congress organizes protest at Sarwal Ward-18 West Constituency against installing smart meters

BJP’s smart meters running faster than bullet trains, cause of trouble for people: Bhalla

JAMMU, August 19, 2023:- JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla today asked the administration to revisit its decision of installation of smart meters putting the decision on hold.He said that the administration should take the senior departmental officials, elected representatives, heads of various social and political organizations on board to find an amicable way to meet the aspirations of the electricity consumers. This was stated by Bhalla while leading a huge protest  accompanied by former Minister and Incharge District Jammu Urban Yogesh Sawhney, General Secretary JKPCC Manmohan Singh at Sarwal Ward-18 West Constituency against installing smart meters. The protest was organized by JKPCC General Secretary Kanta Baan and prominently joined by Anirudh Sawhney, Shashi Syal, Satpal Spolia, Naryan Dass, Vicky Kumar, Sonu Dogra, Koshlya Devi, Ratna Devi, Renu Kumari, Ashu Tolk, Bubby Pormila, Neelu Devi, BJ Sharma, Ashok Sharma Ajay Kumar, , Tirlok, Yash Kumar, Raj Menia, Nageshwar Naryan besides others. The protesters holding placards raised slogans against Govt and also blocked road for a considerable time to express their resentment against installing smart meters. The protesters were chanting slogans against PDD and urged them to roll back the drive forthwith. At the occasion thousands of vehicles got hampered on both sides of the roads, resulting inconvenience to commuters.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said Congress has consistently championed the rights and aspirations of the people of J&K. The protest serves as a strong demonstration of the party’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of the citizens and advocating for decisions that resonate with the public’s welfare. He attacked the LG government and said that smart meters running faster than bullet trains have become a cause of trouble for the people. He said that smart meters are a big scam as people are getting huge electricity bills and poor people are being harassed by cutting off their electricity. He said that Congress agitation will continue till the people get much needed relief.

Bhalla said every type of policy, which goes against the people’s interest, is experimented in Jammu. “Jammu is consuming less electricity but generating more revenue but the government has decided to install smart meters in Jammu, which speaks about their discriminatory policies against Jammu.“It is another gift of BJP led Union government to Jammuities, who have been supporting its decisions since long but in return they have been deceived with repeated denials on account of share in development issues, share in government jobs, on account of funds, on account of stalled development projects”, Bhalla said, adding that before holding power, they have been talked about discrimination but it seemed to be only restricted for political gains of getting power for BJP leaders, added Bhalla.“Even the BJP had been talking about Chief Minister from Jammu , are the BJP leaders consider Jammuites fool and have no wisdom”, Bhalla questioned adding that the BJP leaders have been exposed and their only motive was to gain power and not to end discrimination otherwise the installation of smart meters would not be installed.

Bhalla said that the voice of the public should be heard and the matter raised need to be redressed without any wastage of time. Majority of the electricity consumers have been paying the power tariff on regular basis and no one is denying paying for the services of the PDD but there is an urgent need not to panic the consumers.How can poor people pay ₹3,000- 4,000 bill of smart meters,” Bhalla said. He said that they are poor people and can’t afford to live without using electric devices in the kitchen.“A cooking gas cylinder costs ₹1,250, kerosene is ₹100 per litre and there is no timber available. They can’t afford to buy gas cylinders, from where they will bring money for huge power bills. They are killing poor people,” he said.He flayed Govt for misleading the people with false information regarding the government’s purchase of power at Rs 9 per unit while the fact is that Government is purchasing power @ Rs 3.75 per unit.

Yogesh Sawhney highlighted the challenges faced by people of J&K as a result of hollow policies implemented by the BJP Government at the Centre. He shared that nearly eight lakhs youth are unemployed in J&K alone, which is a matter of serious concern. Cong leaders asked the Government to reconsider its decisions and prioritize the welfare of the J&K people.  “The government is pushing them to the wall. They are earning their livelihood after hard struggle in private sector. The government should consider at least their hardships. The installation of smart meters is not less than a disaster for them,” Sawhney said.He said on one hand government has failed to provide jobs to our educated youth and on the other hand the poor is being crushed under boots by imposing harsh taxes with the passing of each day.

Manmohan Singh voiced his reservations about the current administration’s actions, accusing them of disregarding the sentiments of the populace and making decisions that are out of alignment with the interests of the citizens.Singh further criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of manipulating public sentiment for political gain. He asserted that the BJP’s actions have resulted in disillusionment among the people and predicted that the upcoming polls will reflect the public’s dissatisfaction with such maneuvers. He emphasized that the citizens will deliver a resounding response to the BJP’s approach in the forthcoming elections.

JKPCC General Secretary Kanta Bhan slammed the J&K administration officials and bureaucrats living in air conditioned government accommodations. “Poor people can’t use fans for our children in this scorching heat and they live lavishly in AC offices and houses,” she said. “We are not against smart meters but the government needs to check the ground reality. Poor don’t have the capacity to pay huge power fees. They are poor people living our lives peacefully, why is the government poking them with one thing or the other,”  she said . She said that the power tariffs have doubled in the past one year. “First they used to pay ₹570 per month, then they raised it to ₹840 and currently it is in thousands.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)