Srinagar, March 28,: Leaders and workers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a protest in Srinagar on Saturday, raising anti-government slogans and highlighting what they described as growing public distress over taxes and utility charges.
Carrying placards, the protesters gathered in parts of the city, accusing authorities of imposing a heavy financial burden on residents already grappling with limited incomes.
The protest comes amid increasing complaints over electricity bills, water charges and municipal taxes, with the opposition party seeking relief measures for the public.
PDP leader Iqbal Tramboo, addressing reporters during the protest, said March 31 has become a “black day” for the people of Kashmir due to mounting financial pressures.
“People are under immense tax burden. Hefty power bills are being issued, water fees are being demanded, and employees are without salaries,” Tramboo said.
He added that the power amnesty scheme, which many consumers expected to be extended, was not continued, further adding to public grievances.
The PDP leader also alleged that additional electricity charges were being imposed while the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department was seeking water charges for the past eight years.
“People have meagre income but are being burdened with municipal taxes. They are not refusing to pay, but they are seeking time,” he said, adding that electricity connections of some consumers were being disconnected.
He said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to what they termed as administrative insensitivity towards public hardships.
Besides Tramboo, several senior party leaders were present at the protest, expressing solidarity with the concerns raised by residents. [KNT]
