PANAJI
Speaking to media persons at the BJP headquarters in Panaji, he said, “No representative from our side attended any of the IPB meetings. As per my information, our CEE was not present for the meetings either.” Naik explained that if a representative of the power department were to attend the meetings he would have given the IPB a clear picture of power availability in the state. Nearly 20 applications of new industrial units are pending with the department. After the IPB grants in-principle approval the power department undertakes a feasibility check to ascertain if the quantum of power demanded by the unit can be made available. Clarifying on whether representatives of the department were not invited for the meetings or did not attend even though they were invited, he said, “Till date none of our representatives were invited for the meetings.” Information obtained by The Goan, showed that of the over-90 projects cleared by the IPB, 67 units which have been granted in-principle approval will place an additional load of 70 megawatts on the gird, at a time when existing industries are experiencing power cuts and fluctuating voltage.
Due to poor supply of power which is caused due to either non-availability or infrastructure issues, industrial units use diesel-powered gensets to bridge the gap. Till date the IPB and the government have kept the focus on investment and generation of jobs while clearing projects, but both have failed to address issue pertaining to availability of power and water. One of the big projects cleared by IPB is that of Cipla which will require around 10,588 kilowatts of power. Another one is MRF’s project, which will require around 5,880 kilowatts of power. Additionally, there are a number of projects belonging to companies like Indoco Remedies, Ordain Health Care Global, Cartini India, Ozone Leisure & Resorts and Alcon Cement Company, which will require power anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 kilowatts.
