Goa Minister warns government of protests against power tariff hike

Panaji, March 31 (IANS) Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday threatened to start an agitation against the steep hike in power tariff proposed by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission, due to come into effect from April 1.

"This power hike is against the people of the state. I am aware I am a sitting cabinet minister, but I will come out on the street and lead an agitation, if this hike is not rolled back," Rane, who is from the alliance major BJP, said at a press conference here.

Domestic consumers are expected to foot a 6.4 per cent per unit incerease in the price of electricity. The hike, as per Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, has been effected following a directive by the Commission, which, in a recent report, had been critical of the Power Department's over-reliance on budgetary funds.

Rane said that he would take up the matter with Madkaikar as well as party higher-ups. "If nothing works I will come out on the streets with the people. MLAs, irrespective of whether they are in power or not should protest this power tariff hike," he said.

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