Team Herald

PANJIM: After two days of blackout, the Electricity Department on Thursday restored power supply to the Panjim municipal market, finally.

The Electricity Department had disconnected the power supply to the market because of non-payment of Rs 5.70 crore bills forcing the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) to use generators.

The CCP, however, has approached the Chief Minister to waive off the Rs 2.5 crore interest on the bill, which is pending since 2003.

“After the power was restored, we have approached our Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with our MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate to waive off the interest on the pending bill,” said City Mayor Uday Madkaikar.

Meanwhile, CCP has informed all the vendors not to install any extra electrical fittings but instead use the existing electrical fixtures in the market. However, the vendors claimed that they are forced to use additional fixtures since the existing fittings “are old and rusty” and don’t provide the necessary light.

Even if the Chief Minister waives off the Rs 2.50 crore interest on the pending bill, then how is the CCP going to pay off the remaining amount, wondered a shopkeeper.

Another shopkeeper, on condition of anonymity, said, “CCP is probably going to pay the amount from the corporation fund, which is like exploiting the taxpayers’ money.”