Kashmir living in ‘dark age’, 6% power hike not the only concern: KTMF spokesperson

Qazi Tauseef says political parties, business groups focusing on ‘frivolous issues’ while unscheduled power cuts, water shortage and traffic crisis remain unresolved

Srinagar: The Kashmir Trade and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has said that the proposed 6 per cent power tariff hike in J&K should not be treated as the region’s biggest economic concern, arguing that businesses and the public are facing far more serious structural problems, including unscheduled power cuts, inadequate drinking water supply, poor traffic management and declining urban mobility.

KTMF chief spokesperson Qazi Tauseef said political parties as well as business organisations in Kashmir had, in his view, misplaced their priorities by concentrating on issues that were relatively less consequential while failing to adequately highlight problems affecting everyday life and economic activity.

“The 6 per cent power hike is not the bigger issue,” Tauseef said, pointing to what he described as the broader failure of basic infrastructure and public services in Kashmir.

He said unscheduled power cuts, particularly in urban areas and industrial estates, were causing serious difficulties for businesses and industrial units. Frequent interruptions in electricity supply, he argued, affect production schedules, increase operational costs and undermine the ability of local industries to compete.

According to Tauseef, the focus should instead be on ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply, particularly to industrial areas where electricity is a critical input for manufacturing and other commercial activities.

He also flagged inadequate drinking water supply as another major concern, saying the issue deserved considerably greater attention from both policymakers and public representatives.

“Kashmir is living in a dark age when the rest of the world has progressed far ahead,” Tauseef said, arguing that the region continues to struggle with basic infrastructure and civic amenities even as other economies move towards more advanced systems and services.

He alleged that people and institutions were being kept occupied with “frivolous issues” while fundamental problems affecting the economy and quality of life remained inadequately addressed.

Traffic crisis hurting Srinagar businesses

Tauseef also criticised the prevailing traffic situation in Srinagar, saying the city was struggling with persistent traffic jams and inadequate mobility.

He attributed the situation partly to what he described as poor traffic management and said the problem was having an economic impact as well.

According to him, congestion makes it difficult for people, customers, employees and commercial vehicles to move efficiently across the city, adding to the difficulties already faced by businesses.

A functional business environment, he said, cannot be created merely through discussions on tariffs or individual policy measures. It requires dependable basic infrastructure and efficient urban systems.

Tauseef maintained that uninterrupted electricity, adequate water supply and improved mobility were among the fundamental requirements for businesses to grow and attract investment.

He called for greater focus on these core issues, saying Kashmir’s economic and industrial development would remain constrained unless basic infrastructure and civic management were substantially improved.

“Business cannot flourish until uninterrupted power and mobility issues are addressed,” he said.