MARGAO
Churchill also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the electronic water meters, saying the new meters have turned faulty and are responsible for exorbitant water bills. Addressing the media, Churchill said that he has faxed a representation to the Union Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu, to consider a roll back in the special train fares. He pointed out that Goan pilgrims have complained that they are being charged higher rate for the tickets to Velankanni. “I have been told that the one-way fare has gone up to Rs 2,000, which common Goans cannot afford,” Churchill said. While urging the three Goan MPs, Union Minister Shripad Naik, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik to intervene and bring relief to Goans, Churchill said the railways
should charge affordable rates in the range of Rs 600 like in the past. Meanwhile, Churchill demanded that the government immediately withdraw all faulty water
meters, which have been giving sleepless nights to water consumers over the last
few months. “I have water bills with me which show that consumers have received bills
amounting to over Rs 2,000 when they ought to receive a bill of Rs 200. The electronic
water meters are responsible for the hardships faced by the common men,” he said, while demanding to know why the people are not entitled to have water at minimum
rates,” he asked.
