PANAJI:
The Congress on Tuesday demanded that the power tariff hike be immediately rolled back even as Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao flanked by the other party MLAs -- Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Altone D'Costa -- accused the government of failing to reduce T&D losses or control power theft.
Alemao said a coordinated strategy with INDIA alliance partners will be worked out to corner the government over the issue during the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.
Other issues will also be raised which affect Goa and Goans, he added.
Incidentally, Alemao, Ferreira and D'Costa addressed the media at the Goa Legislative Assembly complex chamber of the Leader of the Opposition in candlelight but Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar who is the custodian of the legislature complex said the LoP was well aware that his chamber is under repairs and power supply is cut off.
Meanwhile, Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavlikar has claimed that a provision will have to be made in the budget if the hike is to be rolled back or reduced.
Dhavlikar said the issue will also have to be discussed with the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for concurrence of the finance ministry for the State to bear the additional cost which will arise due to roll back or reduction of the power tariff hike.
