Govt keeps power tariff hike on hold

With assembly elections just six months away, the State government decided to bite the bullet by putting off an impending power tariff hike and instead, agreed to bear the additional burden of Rs 120 crore.

“The electricity department had recommended hike in tariff but government decided not to pass on the burden to consumers. The cabinet has approved to bear the additional cost of Rs 120 crore entailed by tariff hike,” said CM Pramod Sawant in a post-cabinet briefing.

The decision to keep the power tariff hike in abeyance comes soon after the government’s recent announcement of allotting 16,000 litres of free drinking water to domestic consumers in the State.

According to the government, around 1.5 lakh households will benefit from the decision, which will be implemented from September 1.

BULLET-PROOF VEHICLES

In another decision, the CM informed that the government will soon get two bulletproof vehicles for VIP movement in the State.

“The cabinet has cleared the proposal to fit bulletproof gear to two Toyota Fortuner cars belonging to the Goa Police. These vehicles will be used for the VIPs,” Sawant said.

5 LAKH TREES

The CM also said the State has decided to tie up with a central government agency to grow five lakh trees at Mopa airport site. “The government has taken the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) on board to grow five lakh trees surrounding Mopa airport site. This is to compensate for trees cut to make way for the airport,” Sawant said.