The state government last week hiked the power tariffs by 5 paise to 8 paise per unit for low and high tension consumers respectively as “public lighting duty”. The government has justified the decision to hike the power tariff stating that the revenue generated will be utilized towards street light maintenance. The question that arises is whether it is proper to charge the common man for maintenance of street lights. The power minister reportedly justified that the power hike for the domestic consumer is only 5 paise per unit. Many-a-times it is observed that the street lights are kept on throughout the day. This will add to the maintenance cost. Should the common man be made to pay for the blunder? It is understood that in Goa maintenance of street lights is being done by the electricity department and also by the respective village panchayats. The village panchayats reportedly collect tax from the villagers specifically for the maintenance of street lights. Besides this tax will the villagers also have to bear the proposed hike in power tariff?
