VASCO
Days after a power bill of 50 days amounting to Rs 172 issued to Urban Development Minister Milind Naik for his under construction bungalow went viral on social media and became a topic of discussion, the office of the Chief Electrical engineer has offered a clarification saying wrong news was being published on certain media sections.
“The premise in question is the newly constructed and unoccupied bungalow of the Urban Development Minister. The bill in question is actually for a period from 15th June to 4th August and the facts of the case are that the said bill issued is actually Rs 1032 and not Rs 172 as it is made out to be. However, since there was a credit of Rs 860 on the account of the consumer, the difference payable was Rs 172. We have also requested some media to offer clarification so that the misconceptions caused in the minds of the general public about the Goa electricity department are cleared,” said the Chief Electrical Engineer’s office .
However, when contacted the Assistant Engineer, R K Kulkarni, about the issuance of power bills on personal name to Milind Naik while he was occupying an official bungalow, he said it was only for billing purpose.
“Bills are issued in his name as per the Government rule and as per our department practice, we are issuing bills in his name for payment purpose only. As per Government order we are changing the bills to a particular name once he or she occupies the premise and this is done exclusively for payment purpose. It is a government premise and in the bill issued below the name of Milind Naik, the address is mentioned as Electricity department E-Type quarters. The name of the bills will change if there is any other successor who may occupy the premises and he or she has to apply for it,” said Kulkarni.
