MIRPUR (Kashmir English): The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Barrister Sultan Chaudhry, has approved the transfer of the 11 KV Mangla feeder to the AJK Electricity Department. This will provide electricity to consumers at rates approved by the Azad Kashmir government.
As per details, the Mangla feeder was operated by Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), and following the notification, it will now be taken over by the AJK government and connected with the sub-division Chechiyan.
The notification issued on Tuesday by the Energy & Water Resources Department stated that the power consumers will be issued electricity on power tariff rates approved by the state government, which is Rs3.95 per unit for up to 50 units lifeline consumers.
Earlier last week, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) protested against the unfair electricity bills and unjustified power tariffs for Mangla residents, giving the government a March 11 deadline to resolve the issue.
Khawaja Mehran Advocate, a member of the core committee of the Awami Action Committee, announced that “if the issues were not resolved, the people would be forced to take strict measures.”
During the demonstrations, the protesters said that IESCO is imposing an unjustified additional burden on its consumers, which they will not accept under any circumstances. The protesters demanded that the concerned department immediately withdraw the unlawful electricity bills of Mangla consumers and provide relief, otherwise the scope of the protest would be expanded.
As the government has issued notification before the deadline, the JAAC expressed gratitude to the people, adding that another demand of the committee has been fulfilled.
“Mangla Hamlet feeder has been separated from IESCO and connected to Chechiyan. Now electricity will be received at the approved rate of the Azad Kashmir government,” the press statement said.
