TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The sudden rains have exposed the callousness of Salcete’s electricity sub-stations. Locals complained that the stations’ personnel ignore their calls whenever there was a power outage. If they managed to get through to a worker, the worker would demand a lift to the affected place and back to the station once he completed his work. Some locals had to go without electricity for about 14 hours.
When they received complaints about the staff’s attitude, the senior personnel informed that the staff did not get their salaries on time, and hence, they worked only for a few hours before signing out.
On Tuesday evening, Davorlim resident Anand Sawant complained to the local station that a tree had uprooted and fallen on electricity lines. He was told power would be restored once the tree was removed. After the tree was removed, power was restored to the entire village except to Sawant’s house. When he complained, the worker asked him for a lift from the station. Sawant went there only to find the doors locked.
“When I was chatting with some of the men sitting near the substation, they told me that the workers haven’t received their salaries, and hence they don’t work for too long. If the Panchayat cannot pay the workers, hand back the station service to the Electricity department and don’t trouble the consumers,” said an irate Sawant.
Electricity was restored to his house at 10.45 am – 14 hours after he complained.
Margao’s residents have also been suffering due to frequent power cuts since last week.
