Srinagar, Aug 24 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday ruled out any immediate cabinet reshuffle but indicated that the exercise would be undertaken “when we have to”, even as he stoutly defended the recent power tariff hike as a “compulsion” and launched a scathing attack on critics for their “double standards” on the issue.
Responding to media queries on the sidelines of an official function, CM Omar as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) dismissed speculation over any crisis in his government, asserting that the administration was functioning smoothly.
“No work has stopped. There is no crisis in the government. Our work is going on. We will reshuffle when we have to,” the National Conference leader said, adding that he had never committed to any specific timeline for the exercise.
“I said it won’t happen before August 15. I didn’t tell you that it will happen on August 15. When will it happen? In what circumstances? Leave this to me,” CM Omar said, parrying questions on the much-anticipated expansion.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid growing political buzz over filling three vacant ministerial berths in the Union Territory, which has a maximum strength of nine ministers including the Chief Minister.
On the contentious issue of power tariff revision, CM Omar launched a sharp counter-offensive against opposition parties, particularly the BJP, which has been attacking his government over the hike. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) recently approved an average tariff increase of 6.83 per cent, effective from September 1, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition and trade bodies.
“The rates of electricity won’t increase. We said that we will give 200 units to the poorest people for free. There is no connection between the price of electricity and this scheme. We will continue to provide free electricity to people,” CM Omar clarified, seeking to allay public concerns.
Defending the tariff revision, he said the hike was not arbitrary but a necessity to bridge the mounting losses in the power sector. “We increased the rate of electricity by only 6 per cent. That too after four years. How much more did the prices increase during that time? Where did the prices of oil reach? Where did the prices of the goods you buy from the market reach? We increased the rate of electricity as much as we could,” he said.
The Chief Minister also turned the tables on his political detractors, reminding them of their own track record. “But those who point fingers at me, they should remember that they have also ruled here. During their rule, the rate of electricity increased by more than 14 per cent. At that time, they didn’t feel that it was injustice. Four years ago, the rate of electricity increased by 15 per cent. Even then, the BJP people remained silent,” Omar said.
“This was our compulsion. We are not celebrating by increasing the rate of electricity,” he added, in an apparent reference to the financial constraints facing the power sector.
The Chief Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to promoting solar energy, stating that he had repeatedly told the assembly that solar panels would be provided for free to households, further cushioning the impact of the tariff hike on the poor. (KNS)
