the goan I network
MARGAO
Addressing the media, a delegation of residents comprising panch members Xavier Fernandes, Zalia Fernandes and Isabela Pereira, besides Anthony Fernandes, Rosario Fernandes and Joe Madeira lamented that power consumers from Raia are made to travel all the way to Margao to pay the bills ever since the local bank stopped accepting
cash payments.
“Even the panchayat has resolved to allot space for the Power Department to accept cash payments of the power consumers, but in vain. The department doesn’t seem to be interested in ameliorating the hardships of the consumers from the village,” lamented panch member Xavier Fernandes.
He pointed out that the department ought to have made alternate arrangements for the consumers to make payments in the village instead of forcing them to travel to Margao.
A resident Anthony Fernandes said the villagers will have no option than to force the local panchayat body to adopt a resolution that locals will not pay the power bills if the payment facility is not put in place in the village.
“Earlier, villagers used to pay their electricity bills at UCO Arlem branch, but from April 1 last, the bank has stopped receiving cash payments of the bills and only accepts cheque payments. The local panchayat body has cooperated with the villagers by agreeing to their request to allot space for the power department to accept cash payments. Till date, however, the department has been dilly-dallying on it,” he said.
