the goan I network
MARGAO
Mahila Congress activists led by president Pratima Coutinho gheraoed Electricity engineer at the Aquem Power House on Thursday, setting a seven-day deadline on the department to issue power bills on monthly basis and to repair all the defunct street lights within a week’s time.
The Mahila Congress activists have further demanded a probe into the nexus between the power officials and a section of builders over the question of issuing new connections on the old transformers.
The Mahila Congress activists led by Pratima barged into the chamber of Executive Engineer V G S Kuncolienkar and raised a host of issues plaguing the power consumers. She pointed out that hefty power bills received by the consumers over the last few months has hit the monthly budget and demanded that the department should raise the bills every month. “What is the common man supposed to do when they receive huge bills, ranging between Rs 1,000-2,000 every month,” Pratima demanded to know. She said the government is least concerned about the common man as evident that the sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities and services.
The issue of defunct street lights was raised by the Mahila Congress, pointing out that there are several poles which remain un-illuminated for want of repairs by the Power department. She has warned the officials that the Mahila Congress will return back after a gap of seven days if the street lights are not repaired within the deadline.
On the nexus between the builders and Power officials, Pratima wondered how come the Electricity department issue connections from old transformers for new buildings having dozens of flats and apartments. She pointed out that issuance of new connections on old transformers have led to a situation wherein existing customers have been hit by low voltage problem.
The executive engineer later told the media that the street lights are being repaired everywhere, adding that people can lodge their complaint on the toll free number, promising the repairs of the street lights within the time frame.
On the demand for issuance of power bills on a monthly basis, Kuncolienkar said that the department normally issues the bills every month, adding that there may be delay sometime when the concerned staff goes on leave.
