Margao – BJP Government has failed to provide uninterrupted Power Supply to the Consumers despite spending 12000 crores from 2019 to 2022 for Improvisation of Power Transmission & Distribution System. Government has no right to burden the Consumers for its failure to control and minimize the Power Losses and recover huge Outstandings from the Defaulters, charged Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
Reacting to the Petition filed by the Electricity Department before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) proposing almost 7-14 percent hike in Power Tariff Hike, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has criticized the Government for increasing the Power Tariffs for the third consecutive year.
The information provided to me in the replies to my Legislative Assembly Questions reveals that there are 3480 Defaulters whose Arrears are above Rupees 1 lakh. There are 2669 Defaulters from Government Offices, almost 1000 Defaulters from Industrial sector and 13081 Defaulters from Commercial Establishments, pointed Yuri Alemao.
The information further reveals that Garrison Engineer, Military Dental Centre has defaulted 53.03 Lakhs from 2016, Executive Engineer Division VIII MRT has whopping outstanding of 2.55 crores while PWD, City Corporation of Panaji, Sports Department and various other Government Offices have pending dues amounting to multiple crores. Incidentally Electricity Department itself owes 15.49 Lakhs towards power consumption charges to the Government, pointed Yuri Alemao.
Government should set its priority on improvisation of the Power network in Goa. Power Minister Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar should investigate the huge Expenditure of almost 12000 crores spent in last four years. He should also set a time bound target of recovering the arrears from various Defaulters, especially the Power Guzzlers and also formulate stringent measures to stop Power Thefts by various Industrial Units in Goa, stated Yuri Alemao.
It is completely unfair to burden the common citizens who are struggling to meet with their day to day needs due to high inflation and unemployment. I urge the Power Minister to withdraw the proposed hike in power tariff. I will submit my Objection before the JERC, informed Yuri Alemao.
