MARGAO
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat’s move to take up cudgels for the electricity consumers is being interpreted as a clear message that the ruling establishment could end up paying a political price for decisions that have angered consumers.
While Kamat’s decision may become a major talking point within the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet, as the issues he has flagged pertain directly to the Power Department headed by Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Political observers believe Kamat’s intervention on the contentious penalty imposed on power consumers and the controversial installation of smart meters is not without significance, especially with the Assembly elections barely six months away.
The PWD Minister’s concerns come amid growing public resentment over the Power Department’s recent decisions, which have sparked widespread criticism across various sections of society. The issue of penalties, in particular, has triggered strong reactions from consumers who claim they are being unfairly burdened.
Sources said Kamat’s SOS to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, seeking urgent intervention in the matter, was aimed at preventing further damage to the government’s image at a time when public discontent is steadily mounting. Thousands of consumers, including daily wage earners and low-income households, have reportedly been affected by the penalty charges.
A seasoned politician known for his understanding of public sentiment, Kamat is believed to have stepped into an issue outside his departmental jurisdiction after sensing the depth of resentment among electricity consumers.
During his visit to the Power House, Kamat strongly defended consumers, pointing out that those being penalised were not involved in power theft. His remarks appeared intended to reassure aggrieved consumers and signal that their concerns were being heard at the highest levels of government. “I cannot be a silent spectator when people are made liable to pay the penalty. There is pressure on me from my people. I told the Chief Electrical Engineer to handle the situation properly; otherwise, it may boomerang on us unnecessarily,” Kamat said.
Addressing senior Power Department official Rajeev Samant in the presence of party workers and supporters, Kamat described the penalty charges as unjustified.
“Charging a penalty on power consumers is unfair. The penalty charge is illogical and ultra vires of the Electricity Act,” he asserted. With elections approaching, Kamat’s public stand on the issue is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Power Department’s policies and add pressure on the government to revisit decisions that have become increasingly unpopular among consumers.
That Kamat asserted himself at the Power department became evident when he point blank told a Power official, who said the government will take a call, that he is the government since he is part of the Pramod Sawant Cabinet.
