‘Where is the promise of 200 free units,
12 gas cylinders, free ration and one lakh jobs

Srinagar, J & K : Invoking the famous lyric, “What became of your vow, that oath, that resolve,” BJP Jammu & Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Sunday delivered a strong critique against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah concerning the 6.83 percent escalation in electricity charges, challenging the administration over its pre poll assurance of offering 200 units of complimentary power.

Thakur stated that the rate increase had come as an unexpected blow to average households already grappling with surging costs of daily necessities, demanding to know from the Chief Minister how a destitute family would manage elevated electric bills when the government had itself assured 200 units of zero-cost electricity.

“What became of your vow, that oath, that resolve? The residents of J&K have not overlooked the assurances extended to them. You pledged 200 units of free electricity. Today, rather than granting succour to the populace, your administration is loading them with a 6.83 per cent tariff increase. How can an underprivileged family bear this?” Thakur questioned.

He asserted that the matter was not solely about an upward revision in power rates but about the trustworthiness of the administration and the commitments made to citizens prior to assuming office.

“Where are the 12 LPG cylinders? Where is the no-cost ration? Where are the 200 free electricity units? And what has become of the guarantee of one lakh jobs? The public is entitled to explanations,” Thakur remarked.

The BJP representative contended that the administration could not anticipate ordinary citizens to quietly endure what he labelled an “anti-public and anti-poor” action.

“Families are already finding it hard to cover their month-to-month expenditures. For a needy household, even a modest rise in the power bill carries weight. At a moment when the administration ought to have been delivering relief, it has opted to add to the load on ratepayers,” he observed.

Thakur charged that the Omar Abdullah-led government had made grand pledges prior to elections and then disregarded them after taking charge.

“Assurances cannot be reduced to mere campaign slogans. If you guaranteed 200 units of cost-free power, you are obligated to clarify this to every family that cast its vote trusting those words. The people of J&K are paying attention, and they will demand accountability from the government,” he stated.

He cautioned that the BJP would not stay passive in the face of what he called the administration’s “pro-poverty strategies”.

“We will take our protest to the roads. We will side with the masses and oppose this measure. The BJP will amplify the voice of every household being compelled to pay more. The government must withdraw this increase and fulfil its pledge of 200 free units,” Thakur affirmed.

Thakur remarked that the administration must decide between “public welfare and revenue-focused policies that worsen their difficulties”.

“The citizenry did not vote for added loads. They voted on promises of assistance, employment and self-respect. Omar Abdullah must now respond to a straightforward query what became of your pledge, your oath and your resolve?” he concluded.

Report By – Mudasir Maqbool