The recent proposal by the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to impose a 20 percent surcharge on electricity consumed during morning and evening peak hours is bound to provoke public discontent. While the utility frames it as part of the Time of Day (ToD) tariff system, which aims to balance demand and supply, the timing and implications of this move make it particularly burdensome for ordinary citizens in Kashmir.

For most households in the Valley, winter is not just a season; it is a struggle against biting cold. Peak electricity usage during morning and evening hours coincides with crucial domestic activities — heating, cooking, and lighting — making the proposed surcharge unavoidable for families, not a discretionary choice. Imposing an additional 20 percent cost during these critical hours is therefore tantamount to penalising residents for the very patterns dictated by seasonal necessity.
KPDCL’s proposal also comes against the backdrop of chronic power reliability issues in Kashmir. According to Central Electricity Authority data from 2022, the region has some of the highest outage durations and frequencies in the country, with the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) standing at 889 and the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) at 723.95 — far above national averages. Charging more during peak hours, when electricity is most needed and interruptions are frequent, is inherently unjust and raises questions about equity and governance.
The impact will extend beyond households. Small businesses, shops, and service providers that operate during these peak times will also bear the brunt of this surcharge. In a region where commercial activity is already struggling due to economic constraints, adding an arbitrary financial burden could stifle productivity and discourage local enterprise.
Electricity is not merely a commodity; it is a lifeline, particularly in Kashmir’s harsh winters. A blanket surcharge without corresponding improvements in service quality or infrastructure undermines public trust and risks social resentment. Authorities must recognise that affordability and reliability go hand in hand; punitive pricing during critical hours will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families, amplifying hardship rather than solving systemic issues.
If KPDCL is serious about efficient power usage, it should explore alternative measures: improving grid reliability, incentivising energy-efficient appliances, and expanding renewable energy options for peak-hour load management. Merely taxing consumption during essential hours is a short-sighted, inequitable solution.
Kashmir’s citizens deserve electricity that is reliable, fair, and affordable. Policymakers must rethink the 20 percent peak-hour surcharge before it becomes yet another winter burden on households already grappling with cold, economic pressures, and long-standing power shortages.