MAPUSA: Office bearers of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee gheraoed the Porvorim Electricity Department and confronted JE over “inflated” power bills issued to consumers.
GPCC vice president Sankalp Amonkar said, “We confronted the JE bringing to the notice of the authorities about the “inflated” electricity bills that people have received during two months of lockdown. The inflated bills that people received is mistake of government and mistake made in slab. We have asked the JE to report to the higher authorities demanding waiving off the electricity bills of two months similar to how governments of other States have done. In few, states the governments have even given subsidy on electricity bills”.
Amonkar said a consumer normally receives bill of Rs 1,500 but now has received bill amounting to Rs 13,000 for 33 days.
“Minister Nilesh Cabral claims that people are not charged late penalty. However, on ground, people are being charged two per cent penalty for late payment of bills”, Amonkar claimed.
General secretary Amarnath Panjikar criticised the BJP government for not waiving off the electricity bills, but for funding projects such as renovation of Secretariat and construction of new Raj Bhavan.
“BJP government will have to waive off the electricity of two months. People have received inflated bills when there is no proper income. We are here on behalf of the people of Goa demanding to waive off bills of two months and if they cannot solve the problem, then the ministers should step down since this government has funds to renovate Secretariat, construct new Raj Bhavan and memorial for former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, but cannot waive off the bills”.
GPCC also demanded the JE to publish in the local newspapers that the department is accepting part payment of electricity bills as well as make the option of part payment available for online payment of bills.
