PANAJI
The decision of the State government to introduce the 'demand pricing' principle for billing domestic electricity consumers announced by Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar came under fire from every Opposition party on Saturday who demanded that it be rolled back immediately.
Dhavalikar had on Friday said that under the new billing system, domestic consumers will be levied a 20% surcharge on electricity consumed during peak hours, triggering the political firestorm on Saturday, with opposition parties across the spectrum condemning the move as regressive, anti-people, and economically burdensome.
Dhavalikar had declared that from December, electricity consumers in Goa will be billed under a “dynamic pricing” model, with a 20% surcharge levied on power used between 5 pm and 9 am ” hours considered peak demand.
The minister had defended the move as a step toward energy efficiency and demand management.
The Congress condemned the move on Friday itself with its spokesperson, Amarnath Panjikar calling it a "cruel attack" on common people.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday held a press conference where it launched a scathing attack on the government, calling the decision “anti-middle-class” and “insensitive.”
AAP Goa President Amit Palekar displayed an electricity bill to highlight that Goans already pay over 25% in additional charges above the base tariff.
“Now, this government wants to penalise people further by charging an additional 20% surcharge. They want to take us back to the stone age,” Palekar said even as he pointed out that the decision would adversely affect the policy to promote electric vehicle adoption.
“People charge their EV batteries at night. This rule punishes them for doing the right thing,” he said.
Siddesh Bhagat, who is AAP's youth wing's national vice-president dubbed the BJP ministers “the real Narkasurs of Goa,” accusing them of looting taxpayers while enjoying the perks of power.
“If Dhavalikar wants to penalise citizens, he should first ensure reliable and affordable electricity,” Bhagat said.
The Congress echoed similar sentiments with the GPCC terming the surcharge “daylight robbery” and a betrayal of the common man.
“This move will directly hit households, students, and small businesses. The BJP, which once promised ‘Swayampurna Goa,’ has turned it into ‘Suffering Goa,’” the party said.
Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai also joined the chorus of criticism. “This is not dynamic pricing ” it’s dynamic exploitation. The government is punishing people for its own inefficiency in managing the power sector,” he said while demanding that the government first fix transmission losses and billing errors before burdening consumers.
Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) president, Manoj Parab called the move “a betrayal of public trust” adding that the government was targeting the working class who return home in the evening and rely on electricity for basic needs.
"This is a tax on family time, on education, and on livelihoods,” Parab said.
