Power cuts in the state inevitable: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that power cuts in the state were inevitable as it faces the highest transmission and distribution losses in the country.

"I supply the 2nd cheapest power in country and have the highest T&D losses. So 'inhuman' power cuts are inevitable," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Responding to tweets questioning long power cuts in the state, the CM said the ideal solution to this crisis would be to increase tariffs, but expressed his inability to do so.

"I have the solution. I should charge as much as Himachal charges. Our average price is around (Rs) 2.70 per unit and Himachal is (Rs) 4.78 (per unit). Since I cannot do that, I have to balance moderate tariff hikes with load shedding and measures to control theft and line loss(es)," he added.

While Sikkim provides the cheapest electricity to its residents at Rs 2.21 per unit, Assam is the most expensive state at Rs 5.12 per unit.