the goan I network
BICHOLIM
Upset over frequent power cuts at the Bicholim Industrial Estate (BIE), around 25 owners of various industrial units confronted Bicholim electricity department officials on Saturday.
The aggrieved unit owners are likely to meet Power Minister Nilesh Cabral on Monday.
The delegation which included industrialists Arun Naik, Milind Marathe, Bhagwan Harmalkar, Rajendra Naik, Banmali Korni, Jagdish Bandiwadekar, Sahil Kamat, Hardik Karya, Anand Kulkarni and Nikhil Dixit complained that they were hit by as many as 12-15 power cuts in a day, severely affecting their businesses.
The delegation told the electricity department engineer Deepak Gawas to ascertain the cause and work out an immediate solution to these numerous power cuts.
The delegation pointed out to the old and outdated cables, weak poles, inadequate machinery and also asked Gawas to clear the bushes and branches which have virtually covered the electricity cables.
They also informed Gawas that the frequent power outages had disrupted their businesses and had caused them severe losses, even though they had invested heavily to build and run their units at BIE and were also prompt in paying all their taxes and other dues.
Complaining about some incompetent linemen in the BIE, the delegation also demanded the transfers of those who have failed to perform their duties diligently.
Gawas then contacted power officials and it was agreed to convene a meeting with the aggrieved BIE unit owners on October 25.
Later speaking to reporters, Arun Naik and Bhagwan Harmalkar said they had intimated then power minister Pandurang Madkaikar about their plight, but said the issue was not resolved at the BIE.
They claimed to have been informed that a tender for Rs 70 lakh was sanctioned to the BIE to solve the power cut crisis, but said it was not approved due to paucity of funds at the electricity department.
