Srinagar, Jan 12 (Reporter) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday urged the government to withdraw the hike in the electricity fee this month. “Electricity bills of this month have been hiked by 15 percent in metered areas, and besides, consumption load has also been increased from one kilowatt to 1.5 kilowatt and likewise from 1.5 kilowatt to 2 kilowatt," said PDP General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone during a press conference held in Srinagar on Friday. He alleged that a 40–50 percent hike in electricity bills has been made from this month. He also alleged that a similar increase has been made in the non-metred areas of the valley. “I think the central government and state administration are not leaving any stone unturned to increase the troubles of the common man," he said, adding, “where would the poor people go and survive?" “For obtaining flat-rate electricity, bills were being charged earlier at Rs 920; now they are being charged at Rs 1300," he said. He said that the authorities also hiked the electricity fee for people living in metered areas. Lone said the authorities had made it clear earlier that they had reduced the electricity duty and changed that into the fare. He said the earlier regimes of the National Conference, PDP, and Congress were providing a special discount to the people living below the poverty line (BPL) and of AAY up to 50–60 percent. But the present dispensation has also ended that. “We urge the central government and Lieutenant Governor to look into the hike in electricity fees and withdraw this order so that the poor people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot suffer further," the PDP leader said. Replying to a question, Lone said that the Lieutenant Governor had said that the government would take care of the poor people of Jammu and Kashmir. But when people received electricity bills today, those were equal. “I think this is totally unfair to the poor, and the government must redress this issue forthwith," he added. He said the hike in electricity bills has been made at a time when the government has no adequate electricity to provide for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the government is just providing 6-7 hours of electricity during the 24 hours amid the harsh winter, and at the same time, the electricity fee has been increased. Regarding the Ratle Power Project, which has been leased to Rajasthan for 40 years, Lone said, “When we don’t have electricity to provide for our own people, how can they lease out electricity to other Rajasthan, Punjab, or any other state?”...////...