Omar defends power tariff hike, orders speedy inquiry into Kishtwar girl’s death

25/08/2026

SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended the 6.83 per cent electricity tariff hike, calling it a compulsion for his government, while asserting that the increase was the lowest in recent years.
"During the PDP-BJP coalition government, the power tariff was raised by 14 per cent. Four years earlier, there was a 15 per cent hike. We have only raised the tariff by 6 per cent, and that too after four years," Abdullah told reporters here.
He said the increase was necessitated by rising inflation and prices, adding that the government was working to reduce transmission and distribution losses.
"We increased the tariff at the lowest possible rates. We are not celebrating it; it was a compulsion. The more we reduce the losses, the less we will have to resort to these measures," he said.
Abdullah said his government remained committed to providing 200 units of free electricity to poor and needy households, but had never promised that electricity tariffs would not increase.
On threats issued by terrorist groups to Kashmiri Pandit employees, the chief minister urged police and intelligence agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure their safety.
"The security apparatus -- police and intelligence agencies -- should not take these threats lightly and must investigate where these threats are coming from," he said, recalling that Pandit employees had been targeted in similar circumstances two years ago.
Asked about a possible reshuffle in his council of ministers, Abdullah said it would be undertaken when required, asserting that there was no crisis in the government and its functioning had not been affected.
On the Kishtwar schoolgirl case, Abdullah directed the School Education Department to expedite its inquiry so that stringent and exemplary action could be taken.
A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by a teacher over several months, resulting in pregnancy and her death following an abortion attempt in Kishtwar district. Police have arrested the accused teacher, Khalid Ahmed Sheikh, and his brother.
The girl's death triggered protests in Chatroo and other parts of Kishtwar.
Separately, Abdullah reviewed a roadmap to upgrade 714 high schools into K-12 composite schools to strengthen access to senior secondary education and improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio at the higher secondary level.
The phased plan envisages strengthening teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure, laboratories and other facilities. The proposed upgradation is aimed at expanding access to Classes 11 and 12 and reducing dropouts, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, besides senior officers of the School Education Department.

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