Panaji, Aug 13 (UNI) The Congress in Goan has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state had once again proved of its insensitive approach towards the common man by annoucing 50 per cent rebate in fixed tariff in power bills for domestic consumers.
In a statement, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) General Secretary Amarnath Panjikar said the annoucement made by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was actually rubbing the salt on the wounds of the people.
He said the government had no right to blame the people for consuming more power when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a 'Fake Campaign' of "Diyaa Jalavo" to defeat Corona some months back and the local BJP President had asked people to illuminate their houses on Shree Ram Temple foundation stone laying ceremony day with an intention of glorifying Narendra Modi and not Shree Ram.
The rebate given in fixed tariff was so negligible that people would not even get two per cent concession from their total bill amount claimed, Mr Panjikar claimed.
He said the Goans must realise that the BJP was using the people and their resources only for gaining political advantage.
The Congress leader claimed that the Chief Minister came under pressure after the Speak Up for Goa digital campaign launched by Congress Party received overwhelming response with people from all across the state uploading their videos raising voice against huge power bills and demanding relief.
'We strongly condemn the announcement made by the Chief Minister and demand that 50 per cent rebate on the bill amount be given to all the consumers,' he said.
'The Congress party in a written memorandum had suggested four options to the Government -- The department must issue fresh bills waiving off two months consumption charges or announce 50 per cent discount on the bills issued, the government can explore the third option of charging power consumption bill as per February 2020 bill amount. We want to also to suggest that Government can waive off all bills with consumption charges upto Rs 5,000 and for higher consumption charges above Rs 5,000 give 50 per cent off. We will not accept anything less than the four options given,' he said.
Congress Party would be forced to relaunch the agitation if the government refused to accept the requets made by thousands of Goans, he said.
'This time we will compelled to have bigger protest with thousands of people from all across the State,' he warned.
, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that the government had decided to give a total rebate of Rs 18.3 crore to Electricity Department consumers.
"50% of fixed charges are waived for April and May for all low tension domestic, commercial and other categories," he had said.
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