Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday justified his decision of power cuts to VIP homes, and said that if the common man is barred of the privilege so should be the high profile ministers.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday justified his decision of power cuts to VIP homes, and said that if the common man is barred of the privilege so should be the high profile ministers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Abdullah also urged for the disconnection of the VIP grid from the main power line, so as to provide current to important places like hospitals and railway stations.
"Where there was no light in rest of the areas, why should there be light in VIP areas? We had scarcity of electricity and we thought that essential services should be provided the electricity on the prior basis," he told mediapersons on the sidelines of a passing out parade here.
Severe power crisis has gripped the Kashmir Valley, thereby causing trouble to the locals during this intense cold. The problem arose when excessive snowfall damaged the electricity wires, leading to massive power shortage in most parts of the state.
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah further said that the authorities are also carrying out work to open up the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, which has been closed down due to heavy snowfall.
"People have been cleared from the highway. No one is stranded at the highway. People are stranded at Udhampur, Jammu and some of the cities in Kashmir who want to cross. We have tried to arrange for food and accommodation for them as much as we could," said Abdullah.
"We are hoping that today the Highway would be opened for one-way traffic and then we will try to help the stranded people to reach their respectful destinations," he added.
The Srinagar-Jammu Highway is the lifeline of the Kashmir valley as all the essential supplies are moved along it, and is the only link that connects the valley with rest of the country.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
