MARGAO: Power outages affected Good Friday and Easter Sunday services in Salcete and Mormugao taluka with irate residents demanding a probe into the cause of these black-outs on most auspicious days for the minority community.
The frequent power outages created a lot of inconvenience to those who were either preparing for the masses or even attending masses.
On Friday, there were complaints that there were power outages in many places in Salcete and Mormugao taluka wherein the Good Friday services were held without power supply.
Some of the affected locals complained that due to the power outage, the entire Good Friday service was disrupted. Those standing at the back, couldn’t hear what the priest had to say and the sound system was not functioning.
Former Curtorim Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Moreno Rebello, questioned Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar as to why steps were not taken to ensure that there no power cuts on such days that are of great importance to the community.
Rebello gave the example of how there was no power during the service while there was power supply and before and after the service and called for a thorough probe into the matter.
“While there was a complete power failure throughout the service, supply was restore only after 5.3 pm after the parishioners went home,” Rebello stated.
The frequent power outages on Easter Sunday at various points of the day were also left residents annoyed especially as it was difficult to celebrate Easter and family get togethers.
It may be recalled that the Power Department had planned a shut down for entire South Goa District on March 11, 2023 to carry out urgent maintenance work on its infrastructure and power supply lines but the same was postponed due pressure from the public.
Officials started the power outages were minor issues and are being looked at and that they have been carrying out maintainence works via smaller power shutdowns affecting smaller areas so far.
