Continued power tariff hike in Goa, has put a significant burden on common citizens. Power tariffs were hiked by 1.58 per cent in 2022-23, and by 5.19 per cent in 2023-24, while the government has proposed hike to the tune of 3.48 per cent for 2024-25. Domestic consumers have to be given relief from this hike in power tariff as the cost of living has shot up a lot in recent times.
Shortage of tap water in the Majorda-Utorda-Calata areas has forced hundreds of villagers to buy potable drinking water for daily use. Villagers said that the tap water pressure is so low that some households hardly get five litres of water dripping from the taps through the morning for five hours.
Numerous locations such as Valpoi, Sattari, Morjim, Arambol, Pernem, Anjuna, Panjim, Benaulim, and many others experience acute water shortages. The lack of a reliable water supply has led to frustration and raised concerns about the fulfilment of the promised “Ache Din”.
The Manohar Parrikar government in 2012 had abolished VAT on petrol and had brought down the petrol price by Rs 11. However, from 2015 onwards, the government hiked VAT on petrol with a sole objective of revenue generation. With fuel prices continuously rising by the day, homemakers are at their wits’ end on how to make things work.
While fuel prices are burning a hole in consumers’ pockets with a daily increase, the unfazed State government is not expected to provide any relief. On the other hand, a minister advised people to switch to electric vehicles. In addition to the inflation and high prices of commodities, the hike in fuel prices trigger another round of rise in prices of essential commodities.
When the price of diesel goes up, there is a cascading effect on prices of other commodities. The cost of transportation go up, with that the prices of food grains and essential commodities go up, putting a heavy burden on the common man. The increase in price of essential commodities has made life difficult for the people.
