In a statement issued here, the largest opposition party lashed out at the state government and the administration for what it called ruthless approach to the miseries of the people on account of the dismal power scenario in the Valley.
It said the PDP-BJP Government’s lack of seriousness and will to upgrade the transmission network was “criminal since the Valley was being starved of essential additional power during the winters.”
“Why isn’t the Chief Minister barely concerned about the unimaginable sufferings of the people in the harsh winter by exploring all possible available options to give some relief to the people? The fact remains that the present Government has not done anything to make crucial upgradations to the transmission network to enable the State to buy additional power on a contingency basis in view of the harsh weather conditions in winter.”
To add misery to the already dismal situation, the Chief Minister has failed to initiate a process of starting the Gas Turbines when people are suffering, the party said.
“Almost the entire Valley has been plunged into darkness and dismay and the Administration seems to be deriving sadistic pleasure from the abject misery of the people rather than taking steps to alleviate the problem,” it said, adding, “a lot of transformers too are awaiting repair for months and the department is sleeping on this issue as the political leadership has chosen to turn a deaf ear towards this crisis. It seems like the Government was under the presumption that there won’t be a winter in Kashmir this year and is now acting surprised and claiming helplessness as people continue to suffer.”