Srinagar, Non 21, KDC: Amid simmering public anger over the rollout of smart meters in Kashmir, the Power Development Department (PDD) has now proposed an additional 20 percent charge on electricity consumed during morning and evening peak hours in the Valley. The surcharge would apply to all consumer categories except agriculture, further intensifying concerns over rising power costs during the harsh winter months.
According to the proposal submitted to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for J&K and Ladakh, the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has included domestic households among those who would be affected. The JERC, a quasi-judicial authority, will examine the proposal before granting approval or rejecting it. Officials said the proposed levy forms part of the Time of Day (ToD) tariff mechanism, under which electricity rates vary by consumption hour.
Confirming the development, KPDCL Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad Shah said the corporation had suggested a 20 percent surcharge for designated peak-load hours but stressed that the final decision rests with the regulatory commission. The proposal has already triggered strong objections from consumers and trade bodies.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) opposed the plan of tariff hearing, arguing that the surcharge effectively amounts to a hidden tariff hike.
The business body said that when electricity usage during peak hours is unavoidable in winter, imposing an extra charge is unfair. Citing Central Electricity Authority data, the KCCI noted that Kashmir records one of the poorest power-reliability indicators in the country, with a SAIDI of 889 and SAIFI of 723.95, far above national averages and significantly worse than Jammu’s figures. (KDC)
