Team Herald
MARGAO: Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, on Tuesday, visited Cuncolim Municipal Council and village panchayats of Ambaulim, Balli, Paroda, Chandor-Cavorim, Guirdolim and Macasana where he listened to the people’s grievances and advised them to register their complaints on a toll free number 1912 which automatically generates a file that will help monitor the action taken on the complaint.
“This is a special number to commemorate Goa’s Liberation Day and I request all of you to register your complaints on this number and if action is not taken I shall take action against the concerned official,” he said while adding that the electricity pole number will have to be mentioned while lodging the complaint and added that the numbers will be painted on all the poles very soon.
He announced that the electricity department has changed its policy and gives electric connection only if the applicant is the owner of the land. He admits that earlier connections were given to illegal constructions on health grounds.
He assured that by the end of March 2021 all streetlight issues will be fixed as the department has now taken over the maintenance of streetlights and said nearly 4,000 street light fixtures are being repaired every day. He admitted that there is a delay in replacing fixtures, and claims that this year replacements will be done within 24 hours.
Cabral also lent ears t to the grievances of Chandor Cavorim people directed Executive Engineer Alvito Fernandes to visit the village today to take firsthand look at the various problematic places.
Initially the panchayat members listed out the various problems in the village which were promptly replied to by the minister or his engineers. Incidentally panchayat members Raymond D’Cruz and Mafaldina Martins despite being present in the panchayat hall refused to list out any problems.
“What is the point in listing out the problem when the department has not responded to any of the problems we brought to their notice,” said Raymond assuring he will follow up with the department all his issues.
The primary problem of Chandor Cavorim was with the LED lights or streetlights that Nilesh said would be totally cleared by the end of March this year and further assured that streetlights will be replaced within 24 hours. Further he stated that panchayats will be given additional street lights to replace those taken away for repairs.
He asked the engineers to inspect the sites wherever the panchayat members said transformers needed to be upgraded or installed and assured former Sarpanch Celina Coelho that trimming of trees over the conductors will be done in two days. Cabral assured that by the end of February all damaged polls would be replaced and advised the panchayat to get the estimate prepared to erect a power line at one ward where the road is without any polls.
Responding to Communidade Attorney Luel Fernandes’ complaint that wires have been pulled up above the comunidade building he asked for a written complaint and assured to help the comunidade.
