MARGAO: Strongly opposing the proposed hike in power tariff, South Goa residents on Tuesday sent out a loud and clear message by demanding that the Electricity Department first put the system in place before burdening the consumers.
At the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) hearing at Margao, citizens exposed the Electricity Department’s mismanagement and failures in resolving consumers’ grievances.
Putting forth the suggestions and objections, the speakers even exposed the power department’s ‘mismatch’ figures mentioned in the proposed petition pertaining to the hike in power tariff which shocked the JERC.
The people were very much critical of the government department’s solar power scheme which only ended up being abandoned, turning into a white elephant. The department officials were left red-faced when the consumers exposed them before the JERC.
Opposing the power tariff hike, Judith Almeida from Colva said that despite filing complaints, issues faced by consumers are not taken into consideration by the department. Consumers paying their power bills on time cannot be burdened for no fault of theirs.
“None of the government buildings have solar panels, which are using more power. Several defaulters do not pay the bills and the department is not initiating any action. There should be no abuse of electricity,” she said and demanded that the government should focus on renewable energy. She accused the government of ignoring the issue.
Almeida demanded an audit of the underground cabling and demanded that assets of those who have not paid their bills for a very long period of time be attached.
Martins Rodrigues from Raia accused the department of lacking proper planning.
“There is power theft in various forms but the department has failed to nab the culprits. Junior engineers need to be active. Burdening the loyal taxpayers by hiking power tariff is not acceptable at the time losses can be prevented by proper planning,” he said.
Questioning the Power Department for its service to consumers, Dilip Prabhudesai said,
“Regular power interruptions in the State are an example of the service that is being provided by the department to the people,” he stated. He pointed out a major mismatching figures mentioned in the proposed petition of the Power Department and demanded a check on the power supply distribution, which can surely reduce the losses faced.
The Shadow Council for Margao on behalf of the power consumers of Margao in particular, and Goa in general, filed strong
objection to the proposed hike in power tariffs before the JERC and demanded that the JERC reject the Petition No. 115/2023 for the proposed hike in power tariffs.
