Goa Khabar: Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday stated that Government is planning to give “Double Shock” to consumers by proposing power tariff hike and installation of Smart meters in the state.
“I express my strong opposition to the proposed hike in electricity tariff in Goa. I believe that increasing electricity rates will place an undue burden on consumers, particularly households and small businesses. With proposal of power tariff hike and installation of Smart meters, Government is planning to give ‘Double Shock’ to consumers,” Alemao said.
“I have already written to JERC explaining, why power tariff should not be hiked. The hike will lead to higher living costs, impacting the already strained budgets of many Goans,” he said.
“Department has failed to recover dues of around Rs 600 crore from commercial, industrial establishments and Government consumers. Electricity Department should focus on recovering these dues, which can help to manage financial need. Instead of giving relief to consumers, department is adding woes in the living of public,” he said.
He pointed out that “In January 2022, the JERC approved a tariff hike proposed by the Goa Electricity Department. However, the Goa Government intervened and decided to freeze power tariffs, because there were elections”
“This proves that how the Government is playing with the financial management of common man,” Alemao said.
He said that installing ‘Smart meters’ with heavy cost will be burden on consumer.
