PANAJI
Opposition legislators and political parties pulled out their knives and brandished them at the government over the decision to impose a 5% hike in water tariffs from Saturday (October 1) and follow up 5% hikes at the start of each financial year here on.
The legislators slammed the government for being "deceitful" in announcing 'free water' and no hike prior to the Assembly elections held in February this year and now implementing the hike without warning.
First off the blocks on Sunday morning were Goa Forward Party's (GFP) Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas, who have demanded that the decision be revoked.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao of the Congress also joined in the chorus, calling the decision "most insensitive" and demanded its rollback.
The Opposition MLAs taunted the government for imposing the hike on Goans already struggling with price rise and loss of jobs due to the pandemic.
Alemao said: "Insensitivity of @BJP4Goa @GovtofGoa towards Goans once again stands exposed with this decision. It is loud & clear, State Treasury of the Government which spent Rs 6 crore on 18 minute swearing-in ceremony is empty. Demand immediate roll back."
AAP's Benaulim MLA said the hike in the tariff was proof that the "16,000 litres free" promise and not implementing the already notified 5% hike before the elections was intended to cheat Goans.
"The 5% hike in water tariff proves '16,000 litres free' & not implementing the already notified 5% hike before the elections was intended to cheat Goans," Viegas said, demanding the immediate roll back and scrapping of the notification which imposes the hike every year henceforth.
"Abolish '40% raj' of corruption in all contracts and give these minimum basic services free to all Goans," Viegas added.
The notification issued on Friday imposes 5% increase in water tariff from October 1. It also effects a 5% increase in tariffs at the start of every financial year.
The notification issued by PCE U P Parsekar states that the water supply tariff was due for a 5% increase from May, 2020 but it was not implemented.
"Now, therefore it is decided that the water supply tariff be increased by 5% w.e.f 1st October 2022 and thereafter at the beginning of each financial year," Parsekar said in the notification.
