Political leaders across party lines have also joined the chorus of criticism.

J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari termed the proposal a “grave injustice” to people, who are already struggling to survive an economic crisis.

“The government has a moral duty to consider people’s hardships before enforcing such a harsh measure. It must show mercy to those who are already suffering,” he said.

PDP MLA Waheed Para said in Kashmir, electricity is not a luxury but a lifeline.

“At a time when families are already struggling, raising tariffs on the poor and middle class will be cruel and catastrophic. Policies that ignore human suffering have no place in a just administration,” he said.

Peoples Conference General Secretary Molvi Imran Ansari said proposals on 20% surcharge raise serious questions about who is actually formulating and approving critical power-sector decisions in J&K.

“By the way, wasn’t someone loudly promising 200 units of free electricity not too long ago? Kashmir didn’t get 200 units free… instead, we’re getting 20% extra charge during the peak hours when people are freezing and desperately need electricity,” he said.

Amid mounting criticism, senior NC leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq, who is close to CM Omar Abdullah, attempted damage control by claiming that Omar government would not allow any unfair or ill-timed tariff burden on the people.

“In a harsh winter, power is a necessity, not a luxury in the Valley. The government has already taken a clear stand against such proposals,” he said.

The power-related issues played a key role in ruling NC’s humiliating loss in Budgam bypolls, which was the party's safest bastion and where the NC had not lost an election since 1977.