Electricity hike, neglect hurting Poor in Khag; Lift Tourism Ban to Save Livelihoods: Hakeem Yaseen

·       Demands special electricity concessions for Khag, flags decades of neglect in health and education infrastructure.

·       Calls for reopening of PHCs, GDC and ITI, urges government to ensure basic services like power and drinking water.

·       Appeals to LG, CM to reopen Doodpathri, Yousmarg and Tosamaidan

Srinagar, Dec 14(PTK): President of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, on Sunday expressed serious concern over the steep increase in electricity fees in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the decision has added to the hardships of poor people, particularly in rural and far-flung areas like Khag in Budgam district.

He said it was deeply unfortunate that people are being burdened with higher power charges despite facing frequent outages and unreliable electricity supply.

Addressing party workers and local residents at a meeting in Khag subdivision of Budgam, Hakeem Yaseen said that Khag has historically remained neglected and ignored by successive governments.

“For decades, Khag has been pushed to the margins of development. Basic facilities that people in other areas take for granted are either absent here or exist only on paper,” he said.

He demanded that the government immediately review the electricity tariff hike and provide special concessions and discounts to economically weaker areas like Khag, where the majority of residents struggle to make ends meet.

 “It is unjust to charge poor households inflated electricity bills when they do not even receive power for long hours. The government must show sensitivity and compassion,” he said.

Hakeem Yaseen underlined the urgent need to strengthen basic infrastructure in Khag, especially in the health, education, drinking water, and power sectors. He said primary healthcare centres (PHCs), higher education institutions, and skill development facilities such as the Government Degree College (GDC) and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in the area have either remained closed or non-functional due to official apathy.

“Reopening and strengthening these institutions is not an option, it is a necessity. Without health and education, there can be no meaningful development,” he asserted.

The PDF president also stressed the importance of providing clean drinking water, improving road connectivity, ensuring regular electricity supply, and creating employment opportunities for local youth. He said continued neglect could further alienate people and widen the trust deficit between the administration and the public.

Reiterating his long-standing demand, Hakeem Yaseen once again urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately lift the ban on tourist activities at key destinations including Doodpathri, Yousmarg, and Tosamaidan. He said the ban has severely impacted the livelihoods of people dependent on tourism.

Hakeem Yaseen said delegations from various parts of Budgam district, particularly Tosamaidan, Yousmarg, and Doodpathri, recently met him and expressed deep anguish over the continued closure of these popular tourist destinations.

“Hundreds of families who rely on tourism for survival are facing immense financial stress. Small shopkeepers, ponywalas, guides, and daily wage earners have been pushed into uncertainty,” he said.

“These areas are among the most beautiful and peaceful destinations in Kashmir. Tourism here is not just a source of income, but a lifeline that provides dignity and hope to rural households,” he added, warning that prolonged restrictions are creating frustration among youth who had invested their savings in seasonal tourism activities.

Appealing directly to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Hakeem Yaseen said, “Peace has returned and normalcy has been restored. There is no justification to continue the ban. I urge the administration to reopen these destinations without delay and allow people to earn an honest livelihood.”

He concluded by expressing hope that the government would take immediate steps to address these pressing issues and ensure inclusive and equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir.(PTK)