STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: National Conference on Saturday demanded immediate roll back of the recently announced hikes in ration prices and electricity tariff charges.
In a joint statement issued from Party Headquarters, Central Zone President and MLC Ali Mohammad Dar, District President Ganderbal and MLA Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar and Provincial Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar castigated PDP-BJP Government for the sudden price hike in essential commodities.
Calling the hike insensitive owing to prevailing situation in the valley, the statement reads, “Masses are being subjected to misery by increasing rate of rice from Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg and a steep hike in electricity tariff charges. The Valley is going through one of the harshest periods of turmoil where majority of the economic activities have come to a grinding halt in last five months. People especially from economically challenged families are facing the brunt and with such hikes they are being punished more.”
While calling for a roll back of the price hike in essential commodities the joint statement reads, “With such hikes becoming order of the day, it seems Mehbooba Mufti led government wants to punish people of the state further. As far as ration prices are concerned, after the implementation of draconian NFSA in the state, it was announced that the price of rice would be Rs 10 only.”
“But now after this hike, it is evident that government was hell bent on making masses suffer for everyday needs badly. Similarly increase in wheat prices of Rs 3 per kg has added to the misery of commoners,” adding, “The valley is facing unprecedented power crisis and in the middle of this, government has increased the electricity tariff as well thereby putting extra financial burden on people.”
While terming the move anti-people, the statement said, “Keeping in view the losses suffered by valley, it is imperative for the government to provide financial succour to people and revoke these orders immediately.”