Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said consumers must install smart electricity meters to benefit from the government’s 200-free unit, warning that those who refuse will have to pay full market rates for power.
Talking to the media, Omar said it was his responsibility to reach out to people of Budgam, who supported him in the last election.
“It’s my duty to convey certain things to the people of Budgam. If you want the 200-unit free electricity benefit, you should install meters. If you don’t, your bill will rise, and there will be no concession,” he said.
He said there were no special conditions or hidden rules for the benefit.
“If you want a concession, install meters. If you are ready to pay full rates, then don’t install them. It’s your choice,” he said, adding non-functional and fake meters had been removed.
Addressing a public rally at Mirgund, Budgam, Omar said none has caused as much damage to Jammu and Kashmir as the BJP.
“We are the unfortunate people who were turned from a state into a Union Territory. The PDP went door to door in 2014 asking for votes to keep the BJP away, but after winning, they joined hands with them,” he said.
He said NC, unlike others remained true to its word. “We are punished because we didn’t join the BJP. We refused to compromise and we are the only party ready to fight them”.
Omar accused the PDP-led government of introducing GST and said the destruction of Jammu and Kashmir began in 2014, not in 2019. “Did the PDP ever apologise for its alliance with the BJP?” he asked, adding that parties like PDP, BJP, Apni Party, and others were unfairly targeting the National Conference.
He questioned why the PDP and other parties didn’t field candidates in Nagrota by-election if they were truly against the BJP. “We even offered the seat to Congress, but they took four days and declined at the last moment, so we fielded own candidate”.
Urging people to vote for National Conference candidate Aga Mahmood, Omar said, “You are not choosing your Chief Minister, but your MLA. Budgam’s votes will not make or break the government, but they will shape Budgam’s development. On November 11, press the NC button.”
“I still consider myself Budgam’s MLA — it’s buy one, get one free. Vote for Aga Mahmood, and you get me too,” he added.