PANAJI
The Pramod Sawant-led government has come in for severe criticism for its decision to impose an additional 'duty' of between 20 to 70 paise per unit of power consumed beginning from July.
Opposition parties and activists have questioned the wisdom of the decision, especially at a time when inflation and skyrocketing prices of essentials, vegetables and day-to-day consumables have already burdened the common man.
The notification imposing the duty ranging from 20 to 70 paise per unit for domestic and all other category consumers was issued by Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes on July 6 and comes into immediate effect.
Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who's 'free power' guarantee is its core governance fare along with healthcare, was first off the blocks to slam the government for levying duty on power and burdening the common man with more expense.
"I condemn the decision. This government is insensitive and is burdening the citizens with additional 'duty' on electricity to make up for the losses caused by the incompetence and rampant corruption in the department," Viegas said.
The AAP legislator said he has filed a question on the issue of power tariffs and costs in the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa legislative assembly slated to commence from Monday and will put the government to minute scrutiny on all aspects of power tariff pricing.
The decision to impose duty on power was also slammed by Consumer rights crusader, Roland Martins, who said the department must explain to consumers what is the reason for imposing this 'duty' and to what purpose the funds so collected will be put to use.
"Just 'acting' on powers vested on the basis of a 1986 Electricity Duty Act enacted before Goa became a State and superseding a notification of 2012 is not good enough reason to announce a hike in electricity duty," Martins said.
He said CEE Fernandes has a "duty" to explain to consumers today what this 'duty' is, why it is collected and how it will be spent.
"Consumers must be taken into confidence, lest he forgets assurances he gave at the JERC public hearings held on July 13 and 14," Martins said.
The Goa Electricity Department caters to a total of 6-lakh plus domestic, commercial and industrial consumers and has been making losses of between Rs 300-400 crores year after year which is covered by budgetary support from the State government.
