Team Herald
MARGAO: Newly inducted Congress leader Elvis Gomes demanded to ensure jobs instead of free water alleging that a case study done post Independence Day announcement of free water of 16,000 litres has revealed that it was a gimmick.
Gomes said that in the midst of the pandemic, around six months ago the BJP government had already implemented a steep hike in water rates by over 70 per cent with a 100 per cent increase in inspection charges of water connection and septic tank connection.
“A scenario where an average household would be using 27 units (1 unit =1000L), the benefits of free water would not be more than a mere Rs 61, and added that the need of the hour was to provide jobs to at least one member in every household to avert the poverty crisis that was engulfing the people of Goa due to pandemics,” he stated.
He said that let the truth be told about the announcement of 16000 litres of free water: Considering a household with an average per day consumption of 35 buckets of 25 litres each, ie. 35×25 litres equal to 875 litres, say 900 litres, it would be consuming 27units (900 x 30 days).
Before the increase in tariff six months ago, the bill would amount to Rs 146. After the increase, it went up to Rs. 256. Now with 16 units free, the bill will amount to Rs. 195, thus giving a marginal relief of a mere Rs. 61″, said Gomes displaying detailed working on average consumption of 27 units.
