Herald: What in your opinion is the major issue facing consumers when it comes to electricity and its supply in the State?
Roland Martins: The first thing is the poor infrastructure. Every day, there are umpteen power cuts. Secondly there is no consumer education as to what is the correct power supply and quality that people should get. For the consumer, whatever is given to him, he accepts it. And because of this they are forced to get stabilizers and other gadgets to cope with this. Information is lacking, power infrastructure is poor.
Herald: Do you think underground cabling will help improve the power situation in Goa?
Martins: Underground cabling is good provided it is done properly. It would definitely stop the snapping of overhead cables and the issues associated with it like fallen coconut leaves and branches of trees. If the underground cabling is not done as per procedure, there would be serious long-term problems and this would require that the ground be dug up repeatedly. In some places this has already been happening. Underground cabling is an internationally accepted practice but its functioning depends on the quality of the work.
Herald:How important is quality of supply when it comes to electricity?
Martins: There is a particular voltage that each household should receive. What is the correct voltage you should be getting depends on the different appliances you are using. Whether you have a three phase or one phase supply, one should know what the voltage is. When there is a surge in the power, you can’t tell how low or high the voltage is. Recently there was a case in South Goa where a person took his induction cooker to be fixed but was told that it didn’t need fixing and that it was because it wasn’t getting the right power supply that the cooker was not working. Even the type of cables used plays a part in the supply. For example, when carbon starts piling in the wires, it is an obstruction. Maintenance of the infrastructure is crucial for delivering energy and can thus affect the distribution losses. When we pay, we should be paying for the power we receive. When we use UPSs and inverters for our gadgets and devices, it is symptomatic of the poor quality of power. Why should I need an inverter? It is because I know there will be a power outage. The department as a service provider must justify why there are power outages.
Herald: What is the advice you’d give consumers when it comes to dealing with electricity issues as well as the department handling it?
Martins: There are two things that need to be done. First of all every panchayat must have the amenities’ committee that deals with electricity, water and other public amenities. Today, 99 percent of the panchayats don’t have this committee. People are forced to go to ward members and ask favors from them. Another thing is a consumer redressal system where the consumers must demand for a nodal officer to file grievances. There should be a bottom up method. The consumer must also look at getting their pole numbers which makes identification easier. Consumers must therefore insist on getting their pole numbers. There should be a demand for open houses where a senior officer must come and listen to the consumers’ problems.
Herald: What is your opinion of solar energy? Do you think this will work in Goa and should it be taken up all over the State?
Martins: Solar energy needs to be used at low levels. It may not work as an alternative very soon but I think it needs to be introduced into the homes of people like in solar heaters and solar cooking. If not to replace electricity, it will at least need to be introduced. There are agencies that promote this energy, there need to be more programmes to promote this. The more the appliances are used the more the cost will come down.
