The government’s assurances of uninterrupted power supply during the Ramzan month has fallen flat as several areas in Kashmir reel under darkness forcing people to have sehri and iftar in candlelight.
Several locals, who spoke with The Kashmir Walla, complained about the pesky power cuts in their respective areas since the onset of Ramzan.
“It is very difficult to have sehri and iftar without a light. We don’t mind having scheduled power cuts. But at least for the sake of humanity, there should be uninterrupted power cuts during Sehri and Iftar time,” said Mohammad Altaf, an elderly man from Bohri Kadal.
Altaf said that irregular power supply makes it difficult to have Sehri and Iftar meals and perform prayers in Ramzan.
“Already people are afraid of going for fajr Nimaz because of dogs on the streets and the absence of electricity make it even worse. How can elderly people like me visit masjid in such pitch darkness,” he said.
Since the onset of Ramzan, parts of Srinagar city are also witnessing frequent power cuts.
Sara Begum from downtown’s Khankha mohalla said that they keep waiting for the light to do their daily household tasks, especially to cook meals for sehri and iftar.
“Despite installing meters, we are facing power cuts. It is sheer injustice to spend Ramzan in the darkness,” she said.
The government on Monday said that the curtailment has been reduced by three hours and that the new power schedule will be announced by the end of March.
Earlier in the meeting, Chief Engineer, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Javed Yousuf Dar, said that there has been reduction in the power curtailment since the beginning of this month.
He also said that in the metered areas, the power curtailment in less than three hours.
Complaints of pesky power cuts were also received from the rural areas of the Valley.
“It is difficult to go for prayers during Fajr and Isha time in the darkness. The big claims of the government to maintain uninterrupted power supply in Ramzan is just another lie,” Ismail Dar, a resident of Pulwama said.
Despite repeated attempts Chief Engineer Javed Yousuf Dar wasn’t available for the comments.