Team Herald
MARGAO: Aggrieved over the hefty water bills, people from various places of Salcete on Monday protested at the Public Works Department (PWD) office at Moti Dongor, Margao, and demanded intervention of the PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral at the earliest.
Citizens have also charged the BJP government for deliberately issuing hefty water bills after the election results were declared. Around 100 people from various parts of the Salcete taluka gathered at the PWD office to question the authorities over hefty water bills.
However, there was no officer in the office to hear the grievances. The protestors expressed anger, and alleged that this government is creating hardships before the people deliberately.
Speaking to media persons Franky D’Melo from Nuvem charged the government saying people have been fooled by launching the free water scheme.
“It is shocking to know that many have received hefty water bills and that too for the period of six to seven months. People are yet to recover from the Covid pandemic and the government is issuing the water bills with a new tariff”, he said.
He urged the PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral to intervene in the matter and give relaxation to the people, mostly to the poor section, who are struggling to earn their livelihood.
Floyd Rebello charged the government and said that these hefty water bills are issued after a long period in order to recover the losses.
“Why aren’t these bills issued before the Assembly elections? BJP knew that people would not vote for them. The government should have taken into consideration the situations of the people, who are struggling for jobs and other difficulties”, he claimed.
Gurudas Velekar, who received a water bill of Rs. 45,000 for three months, expressed anger.
“I used to receive hardly a bill of Rs 5,000, but now it is Rs 45,000”, he informed.
Many ladies present at the protest also expressed frustration and demanded that the government should look into the matter immediately.
