Jammu, August 29: J&K Apni Party (JKAP) Provincial President S. Manjit Singh on Saturday led a massive protest in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, against the recent 6.84 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, accusing the National Conference-led government of burdening consumers despite continued power cuts and rising electricity bills.

A large number of JKAP workers participated in the protest, carrying party flags and placards and raising slogans against the government, including “Omar Abdullah Hai Hai” and “NC Government Hai Hai”. The protesters also raised the slogan, “Bijli Pani De Na Sake, Woh Sarkar Nikami Hai”, alleging failure to provide adequate basic services to the people.

Addressing media persons, Manjit Singh criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government and Congress, which he described as its supporting ally, over the tariff hike. He said the decision had come at a time when ordinary consumers were already facing unscheduled power cuts and high electricity bills.

“People are being forced to pay more for electricity even when they continue to face unscheduled power cuts. The government cannot claim to provide relief to the people while simultaneously increasing their financial burden,” he said.

Manjit Singh also questioned the National Conference over promises made during the Assembly election campaign. He referred to commitments including 200 units of free electricity, one lakh government jobs in a year, 12 LPG cylinders and regularisation of daily wagers, contractual and ad hoc employees.

He alleged that nearly two years after the government assumed office, several major promises remained unfulfilled.

“People voted for change and were given a long list of assurances. But nearly two years have passed and the people are still waiting for the promises to be implemented,” he said.

The JKAP leader questioned the justification for increasing electricity tariffs without a corresponding improvement in power supply. He said the installation of smart meters had raised expectations of greater transparency and efficiency in billing and distribution, but consumers continued to complain about unscheduled power cuts and high electricity bills.

Manjit Singh also rejected the government's argument that the latest increase was comparatively minor and that previous governments had also revised power tariffs. He said the present government could not justify the hike by blaming its predecessors.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the 6.84 per cent tariff hike, warning that JKAP would intensify its agitation across Jammu and Kashmir if the decision was not rolled back.

The JKAP Provincial President also questioned the role of the BJP's 29 MLAs in raising issues concerning consumers and other sections of society in the Jammu region. He alleged that important public issues were being overshadowed by the political confrontation between the National Conference and BJP.

Manjit Singh further criticised what he described as a continuing “blame game” between the NC government and the BJP over administrative functioning. He rejected allegations by the NC government that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was obstructing its work, describing the claim as a “white lie”. At the same time, he criticised the BJP for alleging that the NC government was deliberately delaying or failing to implement development works.

“The people are suffering because both sides are busy blaming each other. The government blames the LG, while the BJP blames the government. This passing of the buck is not going to solve the problems of ordinary citizens,” he said.

He alleged that issues such as electricity, water supply, employment and regularisation of employees continued to affect thousands of families while political parties remained focused on accusations and counter-accusations.

Calling the NC-led administration a “suit-boot ki sarkar”, Manjit Singh accused it of being insensitive to the problems of the common people. He said JKAP would continue to raise public issues and organise further protests if the government failed to address the electricity tariff hike and other concerns.

The protest concluded with JKAP workers reiterating their demand for withdrawal of the tariff hike and warning of a wider agitation across the Union Territory.

Prominent among those who participated in the protest were Provincial Vice President Arun Kumar Chiber; Provincial Secretary and In-charge Trade Wing Ajaz Kazmi; Provincial Secretary and In-charge Minority Wing Balbir Singh; District President Jammu Urban Abhay Bakaya; District President Samba Raman Thapa; District President RS Pura Rural Harpreet Singh; District President Udhampur Hans Raj Dogra; Kisan Wing President Badri Sharma; OBC Wing In-charge Bhagat Ram; SC President Bodh Raj Bhagat; Party Spokesperson Sahil Bharti; Raqeeq Khan; Women Wing President Jammu Province Pavneet Kour; Social Media In-charge Jammu Province Vaibhav Matto; Senior Vice President District Jammu Urban Neelam Gupta; Vice President Jammu Urban Joginder Singh; District Secretaries G.L. Pandita, Sheekha Bhardwaj and Vijay Prakash Gurtoo; Media Secretary District Jammu Devansh Sharma; District Udhampur Secretary Satpal Chalotra; Vice President District Samba Farooq Chouhan; District Jammu Minority President Dalbir Singh; Babu Ram Bhagat; Mangat Ram; Capt. Mohan Lal Sharma; Capt. Joginder Lal; Sarpanch Sham Lal Bhagat; Harjeet Singh; Paramjeet Singh and others.