Speaker admits PDP resolution seeking one-time waiver of pending electricity dues
PDP MLA Mir Fayaz’s proposal aims to ease financial burden on households amid rising electricity costs; resolution to go through ballot process in upcoming Assembly session.
Srinagar, Oct 22: The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Tuesday admitted a private resolution moved by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Kupwara, Mir Fayaz, seeking a one-time waiver of outstanding electricity dues for consumers across the Union Territory.
The resolution, once admitted, will proceed to the ballot stage during the upcoming Assembly session to determine whether it will be included in the legislative calendar for debate and voting.
According to officials, the proposal aims to provide substantial relief to households struggling with rising power tariffs and long-pending billing disputes. “The resolution seeks a one-time exemption for all consumers to clear outstanding power dues and reset the billing framework on a clean slate,” a legislative source said.
As per Assembly procedures, the resolution will be put to a ballot vote before being tabled for discussion and adoption.
Following the 2024 Assembly elections, the 90-member J&K House is led by the National Conference (NC) with 42 seats, followed by the BJP with 29, Congress 6, PDP 3, CPI(M) 1, AAP 1, Peoples Conference 1, Awami Ittehad Party 1, and 6 independents. Congress continues to support the Omar Abdullah-led NC government from outside.
Currently, two Assembly seats Nagrota and Budgam are vacant. The Nagrota seat fell vacant after BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana’s demise in October 2024, while the Budgam seat was vacated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who chose to represent Ganderbal.
The Election Commission has scheduled the Nagrota and Budgam bypolls for November 11, with the NC fielding former minister Aga Syed Mehmood in Budgam and Shamim Begum in Nagrota. The BJP has nominated Devyani Rana, daughter of the late Devender Singh Rana, for Nagrota.
If approved, the PDP resolution on electricity dues could emerge as a key welfare measure, offering financial respite to thousands of households across Jammu and Kashmir.
