PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party took strong exception to Power Minister Nilesh Cabral’s statement that a hike in power tariff is inevitable and while asserting that in fact the power tariff can be reduced said the minister is turning to be another liar just like his leader Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
AAP Goa Convener Rahul Mhambre asserted that there was is no need to increase the power tariff and asked Cabral to step down as power minister if he feels a tariff hike is the only solution.
While pointing out that the AAP government in Delhi is providing free electricity and subsidized power to domestic consumers, he said the same can very well be done in Goa and asked Cabral to hand over charge of the electricity department to AAP for a few months to initiate this.
"Even after Goa having one of the highest per capita expenditure, the electricity tariffs are shooting up rapidly. This is nothing but organised loot of Goans. Goans have just begun to recover from the financial crisis that COVID had pushed us into. Unfortunately, instead of the government trying to ease things for Goans, it is only burdening them more with such decisions," said Mhambre.
“We had even earlier stated that within 48 hours of forming the government in Goa, AAP will provide free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units of power per month and 50 per cent subsidy to those consuming 201 to 400 units of power per month,” he said.
Rahul said they were willing to do this after the next assembly elections when Goans would elect AAP to power.
“However, if Cabral is willing we can start it right now provided he resigns and hands over the charge of the power department is given to us,” he said.
