PANJIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday threatened to protest over the proposed 11 per cent hike in electricity tariff that will come in force from April 1 while urging that the decision to hike the power tariff in the State be kept in abeyance till the Chief Minister returns to the State and takes charge of the administration.
Rane also threatened to have a midnight vigil in Panjim if the proposed hike is not withdrawn by April 30, and said he will write a letter to the CAC demanding not to consider the JERC recommendations.
Addressing the media, Rane said, “Such a hike could not be forced on the people of Goa, who are already suffering due to the crisis in the mining industry. The issue of unjust hike in the power tariff needs to be taken up by everyone, whether they are in power or not. It is a very critical issue and being a member of cabinet, I strongly condemn the recommendations of the JERC.”
He added, “My concern is not over the power tariff hike to the industries, but to the domestic consumers and agriculture sector. People in Goa are already suffering due to ban on the mining industry. They have no means to eke out their living and on the other hand, you cannot have additional financial liability on them in the form of such rise.”
He said that the recommended tariff should be withdrawn by April 30 failing which he will lead a night vigil in the city of Panjim. “I have already informed our party leaders about the dissatisfaction over the issue. Also I have already spoken to Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar expressing my dissatisfaction over State government’s action of accepting JERC recommendations,” Rane said
The Health minister further said he would be writing to the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) demanding that the recommendations be not considered.
Rane lamented stating that, “People can’t afford 11 per cent hike. This inhuman hike is a big shocker. Looks like JERC has lost its mind. Bureaucracy is not accountable to people. We don’t know the future of mining industry in Goa. People are in distress. Goa must have guts to challenge this decision. We are not ‘bonde’, we should not follow all bureaucratic decisions.”
The Electricity Department has accepted the recommendation of JERC which has increased the electricity traffic in Goa by 11 per cent the domestic consumers and other segments including agriculture. The hike is expected to come in force from April 1.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has backed Health Minister Vishwajit Rane claiming that the hike is unacceptable and people at this stage cannot afford it.
“I fully support Rane on this issue. We are facing loss of jobs due to mining issues and now also jobs crisis will hit MPT. When there is unemployment in the State, people cannot afford such hike in power tariff at this juncture,” Lobo said.
He added, “I urge the Power Department to keep this recommendation and order of the JERC in abeyance till the Chief Minister returns and takes charge of the administration.”
He said that not all orders should be implemented claiming that in the past many circulars from the Centre have been kept on hold.
