Omar Abdullah government has completed just one year in office, yet the political atmosphere across Jammu & Kashmir already reflects growing public frustration. What was promised as a year of relief, reconstruction, and renewal is instead being remembered for broken assurances, erratic decisions, and a widening gap between what was pledged and what has been delivered. The government’s performance, especially on the crucial issue of electricity, has sparked widespread anger and raised serious questions about credibility.
During the election campaign, the National Conference promised 200 units of free electricity to every household. This single promise played a huge role in shaping public opinion: it represented hope for lower bills, better service, and financial relief for the poor. Today, twelve months later, the reality on the ground is painfully different. Not only has the promise remained unfulfilled, but the government is now considering a steep 20% tariff hike — the exact opposite of what was pledged.
The sequence of decisions has amplified public distrust: first came the free-electricity promise, then the push for rapid installation of smart meters, and now preparations for a tariff increase. This pattern reflects either lack of planning or lack of honesty — and neither is acceptable from a government that sought votes on the promise of transparency and reform.
From an opposition standpoint, this is a textbook case of how a democracy should function. It is not only the right but the responsibility of an opposition to call out anti-people decisions, expose contradictions, and prevent policies that burden the common citizen. Seen in this context, the criticism emerging from political opponents is not unnecessary confrontation — it is a necessary check on government power.
The chief minister must understand that the people of Jammu & Kashmir are already battling inflation, unemployment, and financial uncertainty. Adding a 20% electricity tariff hike to their hardships would push poor and middle-class families deeper into distress. Electricity is not a luxury — it is a basic requirement for survival, especially in a region with harsh winters.
If the government genuinely wants to fix the power sector, raising tariffs is the laziest and most harmful solution. What the administration needs instead is structural reform: reducing transmission losses, preventing power theft, upgrading infrastructure, increasing local generation, and planning long-term sustainable solutions. Burdening the public to cover systemic inefficiencies is neither justifiable nor sustainable.
Omar Abdullah’s first year was expected to set a positive direction. Instead, it has set off alarm bells. But the government still has time to correct its course. Rolling back the tariff hike proposal and honouring the commitments made during elections would be the first step toward rebuilding trust. Governance cannot be built on broken promises; it must be shaped through accountability, honesty, and a sincere effort to ease people’s lives.
If the chief minister wants the remaining years of his tenure to be remembered differently, the message is clear: Fix the system — not the people.DD
