Goa Govt defers tariff hike in view of polls

PANAJI, DEC 12: To avoid risking unpopularity among voters in the approaching Lok Sabha polls, the Goa Government has decided to defer implementation of its earlier decision to hike power and water tariffs in the State.

The revision in the rates of water and power tariff involving substantial hike in the cost of the two services was okayed by the State Cabinet a little before the mid-term poll for the Lok Sabha was announced. The Chief Minister had told the press that the new hike would be made effective immediately. However, following the announcement of the mid-term polls, the Government has changed its mind about implementing the revised tariffs immediately. State Power Minister Mauvin Godinho’s announcement in the Assembly last night provided sufficient indication to that effect. Godinho said the new tariff hike would be made effective only from April. He admitted that the people would suffer but said the hike was to meet the demands of additional load growth. The minister said the proposal was to hike power tariff by five to ten paise for domestic consumers and thirty per cent for high tension users.

State health minister Dr Wilfred D’Souza admitted in a reply that malaria had claimed 56 lives in the State upto November this year.