While going through the newspaper reports on the Republic Day celebrations, one of the minister’s is quoted as saying that Goa government is committed to supply 24×7 power to the people. Is this a joke on us Goans? There is a vast difference between commitment and ground reality. The domestic power scenario in Goa is going from bad to worse so much so that not a single day passes without a power interruption. Even as I am typing this letter the power has been shut down from 7 am. upon enquiry at local electricity office, I am told there is a shut down from 8 am to 4 pm. When questioned as to why the public was not informed, I am told it is given on the newspaper of the day.
The Ministers, bureaucrats and top bosses of the Electricity Department should realize that the common man does not possess inverters unlike the ministers who enjoy these privileges at the tax payers’ expense and power shut down makes no difference to them.
We do understand periodic maintenance is required but the shut downs are so frequent that I wonder if it is done at the whims and fancies of the electricity dept or is it indirect form of load-shedding? Is no one accountable for all this? The electricity dept expects us to pay our bills on time if not a fine is imposed by way of interest. In the same logic, should not the electricity dept be made liable for deficiency in service for not giving us continuous supply and therefore made to give a rebate on the monthly bills for various shut downs that occur?
Under the present body of elected representatives, we are facing one of our worst power crisis in the domestic sector. This is also because the equipments are old and out-dated and no efforts are made to replace the conductors, etc., which have crossed their use by date. Perhaps no expenditure is incurred to save on expenses to dress-up the figures before the budget.
It is high time the power situation improves cause the common man is totally frustrated and dejected that their patience is being tested time and again. And please stop making a mockery of the people by talking of 24×7 power supply when harsh reality is staring us in the face.
