J&K’s Ganderbal administration takes back order on electric heaters ban
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have taken back the order on banning the sale, possession and use of electric heating appliances, including heaters and blowers.
The Office of the District Magistrate, Ganderbal, issued a corrigendum for the order and said, “This office has issued an order under section 144 of the Cr.PC, with an objective to ensure efficient use of electricity, its conservation and prevent the use of prohibited/unauthorised crude heating devices. The order under referencementions about other devices as well and therefore, the said order needs correction.”
“Therefore, in order to achieve the said objective I, District Magistrate, Ganderbal, in exercise of powers vested in me by virtue of section 144 Cr.PC, amend the operative part of the said order and issue directions as- “for efficient use of energy, its conservation and for safety of life and property, do hereby prohibit sale, purchase and use of banned nichrome coil based crude water heaters and crude cooking heaters which do not conform to the relevant specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standard,”
“Any violation of this order shall attract punitive action as warranted under relevant law,” it added.
On Saturday, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district imposed a ban on the sale, possession and use of electric heating appliances, even as the Valley is reeling under cold weather conditions following heavy snowfall in the higher reaches.
The order came under criticism from various quarters. Taking to Twitter, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said, “This is a ridiculous order. How can the administration impose a blanket ban on sale, usage and even storage of electrical heaters? Is the DC’s heating/cooling AC covered under this Sec 144 ban? Will he have it removed from his office/home? Are people supposed to freeze to death?”
Omar Abdullah urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to have the “draconian order” withdrawn.
In a tweet, senior PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar said, “Dear fellow citizens, this is where Kashmir is in the 5th year of Amrit Kaal. Night temperature is below freezing point and use of heaters has been criminalised. We have 6 months of snow, rain and frost ahead of us. Are we going to be frozen to death?”
PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan asked if such orders are issued anywhere in the country’s summer belt.
“Do we issue such orders anywhere in summer belt of the country to not use Air Conditioners during peak summers and make it a criminal offence if not obeyed. It’s evident someone who doesn’t understand the landscape & geography of the place can only issue such orders,” he tweeted.
