the goan I network
SANGUEM
A group of locals from different parts of Sanguem taluka marched to the electricity department office in Sanguem to complain about frequent power supply problems in the taluka.
Led by Sanguem Municipal Council Chairperson Sanguem Municipal Council Romualdo Fernandes, the locals also demanded the immediate transfer of Junior Engineer Atul Naik, after accusing him of harassing people if anyone questioned him about erratic power supply in Sanguem.
On Monday, Sanguem Deputy Collector Ajay Gaude had served a show-cause notice to JE Atul Naik for not paying heed to his directions to submit a report on property damages caused to people in Kuinamoll-Sanguem due to a high voltage problem.
Fernandes and the aggrieved locals demanded the presence of JE Atul Naik in the office, but on being informed that Naik was on sick leave, the locals then sought the presence of Executive Engineer Vinayak Mhalsekar to respond to their queries.
When Mhalsekar met the locals, they demanded the immediate transfer of JE Atul Naik, after accusing him of acting in a highhanded behaviour with the public.
SMC Chairperson Romualdo Fernandes alleged Naik had abused him when he had asked the subordinate staff about the non-functioning street lights in the town some days ago.
The locals also pointed out to frequent power outages in Sanguem taluka. Those who have business establishments informed Mhalsekar that officers at the Sanguem office were not giving locals prior notice of shutdowns in the locality, which affected their business.
SMC Councillor Suryadatt Naik and Bhati Panch Manoj Paryekar also highlighted problems faced the by people in their respective areas on account of power supply problems.
Paryekar also expressed the need to replace some damaged electricity poles in the village. Villagers from the hilly areas at Salgini were also present for the agitation and complained that the village had been in total darkness since the last 15 days.
They claimed that the absence of power supply had caused severe hardships to students answering their exams. They also complained that dairy farming equipment which runs on electricity could not be operated, thereby affecting their dairy business. After giving a patient hearing to their grievances, Mhalsekar reportedly assured the locals that if they were unhappy with JE Atul Naik, he would recommend Naik’s transfer out of Sanguem office with higher authorities.
Mhalsekar also assured that he would be present
at the Sanguem office twice
a week to address public grievances.
