PONDA: The Veling-Priol-Cuncolim panchayat and locals gheraoed the executive engineer (EE) at Curti, Ponda on Monday over the electricity department’s poor pre-monsoon work, due to which they witnessed frequent power outages and non-functional streetlamps since May. They also complained about the arrogant behaviour of the linesmen, and said that the erratic power supply led them to lash out at the panchayat.
Sarpanch Damodar Naik and the panch members warned of an agitation if the problems continued. They asked Executive Engineer Venkatesh Cuncoliekar why the panchayat should face the people’s wrath when the department was at fault.
The locals also alleged that the linesmen did not entertain their complaints, and that the linesmen would ask them to get the panchayat’s approval to even repair a streetlight. They said they were afraid to walk on the streets at night and that power fluctuations had damaged household items like fridges, TV and washing machines They also demanded additional vehicles for the linesmen, at least until the monsoon ends.
Sarpanch Naik said that the panchayat was facing a financial crunch as the government had not granted it the Rs 30 lakh octroi fund. Despite this, it had sent Rs 5 lakh to the electricity department to maintain the streetlights and buy equipment. He also expressed concern over the hiked electricity rates.
“There has been no supply of material like CFL bulbs, sodium vapour, chokes, starters, igniters and even electricity meters, for which the department depends on the panchayat. It is not the duty of the panchayat. The power department and government should provide the required material,” said Naik.
Cuncoliekar informed the gathering that he had been transferred to Ponda eight days ago. He requested them time to study the matter and assured that he would look into all grievances. He also said he would provide more linesmen if required.
