PANAJI
The much-awaited “Power Debate” between BJP’s Power Minister Nilesh Cabral and Aam Aadmi Party’s Valmiki Naik, which was finally hosted in Panaji on Wednesday evening, concluded with the reinforcement of the state government’s failure to provide cheap and reliable power supply to all Goans. The debate was moderated by Prudent’s editor-in-chief Pramod Acharya.
In his opening remarks, Valmiki stated, “Cheap and reliable electricity supply is a basic necessity and is the right of every Goan and it is the government's duty to provide it.”
In Delhi, consumption of up to 200 units of electricity is billed as zero while consumption between 200 and 400 units of electricity is given a 50 per cent discount. AAP claimed that around 73 per cent of Goans fall in the first category and around 20 per cent Goans comprise the second bracket of consumers.
On the other hand, despite the low energy charges in Goa, inclusions such as fixed charges, electricity metre rent, duty among others inflated the power tariff in Goa.
In response to this, Power Minister Cabral informed that around 59 per cent Goans comprise the Low Tension Domestic Consumption (LTDC) category who consume less than 400 units. On the other hand, Low Tension Commercial (LTC) consumers of up to 200 units form 59.28 per cent, 13.36 per cent commercial consumers use 200-400 units and above 400 units are consumed by 27.36 per cent.
Criticizing Delhi’s “zero electricity bill” policy, Cabral argued, “It is the state government that foots the bill for all those consumers who are charged ‘zero bill’. Even though individual consumers are not paying, the public treasury is bearing this cost.”
Cabral insisted that this is nothing but a benefit scheme along the lines of Goa Government's Laadli Laxmi, Griha Aadhar, Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana.
Quick on his feet, Valmiki pointed out that if these are the official figures and if only 60 per cent Goans consume below 400 units and at lower costs too as compared with Delhi, it should be easier for Goa Government to extend the Delhi model of free electricity to these consumers.
“Also, what is wrong with the state government paying the bills on behalf of the public without passing on the burden to each individual?” demanded the AAP leader.
Valmiki then attacked the Goa government for failing to provide reliable power supply. “The electricity supply provided by Cabral in Goa is neither cheap nor reliable,” he charged.
On the offensive, Cabral insisted that the Delhi model is possible because in Delhi, there are three to four private electricity producers who are running a profitable business.
However, Goa’s Power Minister admitted that his government has failed to provide uninterrupted electricity supply in terms of infrastructure and distribution network because it does not produce its own electricity.
“I don't understand where the Delhi government gets the money to spend on such things. Besides, the charges for commercial consumers in Delhi are very high,” stated Cabral attempting to regain ground.
But it was the AAP leader who had the last word on the subject.
Valmiki explained that the Delhi government can afford these schemes simply because there is no corruption.
“Delhi also has welfare schemes. But unlike in Goa, if you want to receive the benefits of any government schemes, you do not have to approach the MLAs, ministers or ruling party leaders. In Delhi, these services are provided at doorstep,” Valmiki stated further questioning the wisdom behind the Goa government’s decision to hold all welfare benefits during the Covid lockdown.
Presenting a very relatable graph, the AAP leader disclosed that the size of Delhi’s present budget is Rs 60,000 crores with a population of around two crore. The government can spend Rs 30,000 on each resident of the state annually and it does this by providing free electricity, free water, free first-class education, free healthcare, free testing, surgeries and medicines, free public transport, good roads and jobs.
“On the other hand, Goa has a budget of Rs 21,000 crore and 15 lakh popoulation. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant can spend Rs 1.40 lakh on each Goan annually. Where is this money going?” Valmiki demanded.
Issues of transmission and distribution losses in Goa, which are among the highest in the country, power theft, power arrears and political favours in departmental employment were also raised.
Power Minister Cabral signed off only by assuring that in the remaining nine months of his tenure, he will introduce smart metering, activate underground cabling and focus on alternative sources of power such as solar energy.
It was Valmiki who had the last laugh when he enquired,“ How will you achieve in nine months what you could not touch in nine years?”
