Industrial units are favoured for electricity, MLA alleges

Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai today claimed in the Goa Legislative Assembly that Power minister Milind Naik was not consulted while giving electricity connections to the industry.
"Investment Promotion Board (IPB) which clears investment proposals does not have representation of state Power minister Milind Naik. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has publicly said the minister need not be present on the board as he (CM) heads the entire cabinet," Sardesai said.
He was speaking on demand for grants of the Electricity Department.
This indicated that the Government was giving priority to the industry in allotment of electricity connections, he said, adding "when Power minister, who has knowledge about the electricity requirement of the state, is not taken into confidence, it means the common people are the sufferers."

The Fatorda MLA also alleged that Government had neglected power requirement of South Goa.
"Government had commissioned 110 KV sub-station at Cuncolim but due to decline in quality of power supply only 10 MVA power can be utilised through this sub-station," he said.

The sub-station catered only to the power-guzzling industrial units and not the domestic consumers, Sardesai alleged.
Agricultural growth of state had shrunk to 3.5 per cent, he pointed out. "On one hand Government is justifying its stand to oppose diversion of Mahadayi river by Karnataka stating we need the water for agriculture, but the situation on the ground is different," he said.

If the agricultural growth decreased further, it would weaken Goa's case on Mahadayi river water, he warned.