Goans favour Govt control over corporatisation
05 March 1999 10:09 IST Saying no to total sell out of the transmission and distribution of power to the private sector, cross sections of Goa have now unanimously resolved to corporatise the electricity department with private participation but government control.
While the four-year rule of the three elected governments was fully dominated by the continuously changing power policy, the era of President's rule now witnessed a healthy public debate on the issue, without any kind of political interference or influence.
Goa's development has presently suffered a severe setback as power shortage has compelled the high court to ban new connection to any commercial or industrial activity for nearly one year now. The tourist state is also facing above 25 per cent T & D losses due to ancient network.
The fruitful public debate in fact pushed the industrial sector into total minority with all the professionals, small industrialists and trade unionists vehemently opposing forceful demand of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry to allow private sector to have majority stakes in the proposed power corporation.
There is however total unanimity over not allowing politicians to interfere into the affairs of the power corporation, by appointing professionals and technocrats to run the state of affairs. Stress is also being laid upon increasing number of power theft with political protection.
The resolution passed in this regard after day-long deliberations at the Goa International Centre however would be implemented only after a new elected government comes to power. Though governor Lt Gen (Retd) J F R Jacob held the public debate as per the government's cabinet decision, it has to be seen now whether the new government agrees to implement it.
Giving facts and figures, representatives of small industries and trade unions proved how false statistics was prepared and artificial shortage of power and funds was created by the ruling politicians to allow private firms to generate power in the tourist state.
The tourist state, which depends entirely upon the NTPC's power supply from the neighbouring states, has now allowed private power generation. The final decision on privatisation of T & D however lingered on with every government adopting a contradictory view, till the Assembly was dissolved last month.
