PORVORIM: Claiming that the recommendations of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) is not binding on the state, former power ministers Aleixo Sequeira and Digambar Kamat on Monday asked the government not to give an excuse of the recommendations of this autonomous authority to hike power tariff for domestic consumers.

“I fail to understand what is the wisdom in wanting to charge the common man. We read in the newspapers that JERC has directed a hike in the tariff rates. I was the power minister and so was Digambar Kamat, but I categorically state in this House that we never succumb to the dictates of the JERC. To us, the JERC had the right to recommend but their recommendations were not binding on the State,” said Aleixo Sequeira speaking during the discussions on the demands that also included the electricity department.

The Nuvem MLA further said, “As such my humble appeal to the government…don’t sell that justification of JERC to the public. The public are innocent and don’t use it to improve your financial status.”

Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said that when the electricity department submits the reports of buying costly power and supplying at low rates, then JERC is bound to give recommendations to increase the tariff.

“Are the recommendations of the JERC binding on the government if it is against the interest of the government? People have elected this government and the government is duty bound to protect the interest of the people. The first priority should be people and not JERC. Will the government go ahead and increase tariff if JERC asks to charge Rs 10 per unit from domestic consumers?” Kamat questioned.

He urged the government to work for the welfare of the people and ensure people are not caused any inconvenience by imposing high power tariffs.