VISHWAJIT RANE OPPOSES ELECTRICITY TARIFF HIKE, THREATENS TO TAKE ON THE STREETS

By Our Chief Reporter

Panaji (Goa) Goa government is facing internal bickering over its decision to induce electricity tariff hike up to eleven percent as per the recommendations of Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC).

Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane today threatened to have midnight vigil in Panaji if the proposed hike by the State Electricity department is not withdrawn by April 30. Rane who is a part of the BJP’s cabinet claimed that such a hike could not be forced on the people of Goa, who are already suffering due to the crisis on the mining industry, which has shut down since March 16.

Goa government has accepted the recommendation of JERC which has increased the electricity traffic in Goa by eleven per cent for the domestic consumers while other segments including Agriculture too will have the increase in the power rates. The hike is expected to come in force from April 01.

“The issue of unjust hike in the power tariff needs to be taken up by everyone, whether they are in power or not. It is a very critical issue and being a member of cabinet, I strongly condemn the recommendations of the JERC,” said Rane, who holds Health, Women and Child and Food and Drugs Administration portfolios.

He said that his concern is not over the power tariff hike to the industries, but to the domestic consumers and agriculture sector. “People in Goa are already suffering due to ban on the mining industry. They have no means to eke out their living and on the other hand, you cannot have additional financial liability on them in the form of such rise,” Rane said.

“The recommended tariff should be withdrawn by April 30 failing which I will lead night vigil in the city of Panaji,” he said adding that he has already informed his party high leaders about his dissatisfaction over the issue.

“I have already spoken to State power minister Pandurang Madkaikar expressing my dissastisfaction over state government’s action of accepting JERC recommendations,” he said.

Rane said that he would also be writing letter to Cabinet Advisory Committee comprising of three members – Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP), Francis D’Souza (BJP) and Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward Party) with the demand not to consider the recommendations of JERC.