Goa power min holding back files approving connections: Cong

Opposition Congress today said that Goa Power Minister Milind Naik was being "selective" in allotting electricity to the industrial units and accused him of seeking bribe to sanction files despite necessary approvals being in place.
Addressing reporters here, the state unit Congress spokesman Sunil Kawathankar said that "the power minister has been selectively holding back the files for load approval of the industries. He has been asking bribe to approve the files. This is badly reflecting on the industrial growth of the state."
Responding to the allegation, the state government has clarified that applications were pending due to severe power shortages the state was facing, with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar saying that "any specific allegations about the bribery can be brought to my notice."

Kawathankar said that files for sanctioning of power load of more than 60 KVA need approval of the minister once the applicant has secured a feasibility report from the concerned department.
"Despite having feasibility report in the favour of applicants, several applications are pending because they (applicants) have refused to pay," he alleged.
The Congress leader said that the Joint Electricity Regulatory Committee (JERC) has made it mandatory to clear the file within three days, "but the rules are violated often and several files are pending with the minister."

Responding to the allegations against Naik, Parrikar told reporters in a press conference that "We are trying to tide over the shortage. If there are any specific allegations about the bribery, they can be brought to my notice."

Naik was sitting next to the Chief Minister during the presser, but did not offer any comment.
Parrikar said that the current shortage is to the tune of 150 MW during the peak hours, which can be met after state signs an agreement with Chhatisgarh over a coal block.
"The power load was not sanctioned for the industries because there was no power for allotment," he added.
The Chief Minister said that the state ran into crisis during April-May as Corba station, which feeds electricity to the state, had to be shut down thus affecting around 200-250 MW power supply.