“200 Free Power Units a Policy Call of UT Govt”: Pankaj Agarwal

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Oct 3: Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal Saturday said the provision of 200 free electricity units in Jammu and Kashmir is a policy matter to be decided by the Union Territory government, refusing to commit on whether J&K could replicate the Punjab or Delhi model.

Speaking to media during his visit to Srinagar, Agarwal, when asked whether J&K could follow Punjab or Delhi in offering 200 free units to consumers, said, “I think that is a state government policy.” He said the issue falls squarely within the UT government’s domain.

The statement comes amid mounting political backlash for the National Conference (NC) government in Jammu and Kashmir for failing to deliver on its 2024 manifesto promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to households, with tariffs hiked instead and the scheme’s scope narrowed to only the poorest families.

The NC had, in its 2024 manifesto, pledged 200 units of free electricity to every household. The current position, however, is different.

A 6.83 per cent average electricity tariff hike came into effect on September 1, 2026, projected to mop up an additional ₹251 crore from consumers.

The benefit has now been restricted to only Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families — around 2.23 lakh households.

The scheme is to be delivered through rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, but implementation is still in the tendering stage.

The contradiction has turned into a major political flashpoint, with parties including the BJP and the PDP accusing the NC of “betrayal,” highlighting the gap between pre-election relief and post-election bills.