Aleixo denies charges of buying poor quality material

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-08-22
PANAJI - The Power Minister, Mr Aleixo Sequeira on Thursday denied the charge that the power department was purchasing sub-standard electrical materials, spares etc, even as he said that a committee formed to evaluate the purchases for the department and ensure good quality product was formed after he took over the charge of the department.
Replying to issues raised by the members of the House during discussion on demands for power and Environment Departments held by him, Mr Sequeira also announced that continuous efforts were being made to improve power supply in the state. He said that work on the underground cabling would be continued but in phased manner, with HT lines being first to be laid under ground from sub-stations to feeding stations.
The Power Minister also informed the House that following demands from the members of the House for setting up a House committee to enquire into allegations of improper functioning of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, he has decided to constitute a committee headed by him to go into the charges.
The other members of the committee are Mr Manohar Parrikar, Mr Nilkanth Halarnkar, Ms Victoria Fernandes, Mr Agnelo Fernandes, Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar, Mr Pandurang Dhavlikar and Mr Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco. The committee was announced by the Speaker, Mr Pratapsing Rane at the end of Thursday’s proceedings.
He said that the department decision to switch from sodium vapour lamps to CFL lamps for street lights would help the department save 10 mW of power, even as he said that in future only water proof electronic chokes and fixtures would be procured by the department for street lights as the other chokes and fixtures get damaged due to environmental factor prevalent in the state.
The Power Minister also said that the state has been allocated 51.4 mW of additional power by the Centre but the state has sent proposal for more power and that the proposal was under consideration of the Union power ministry. He also said that as per the wishes of the Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi each household of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes would be given two CFL lamps by the government.
As regards to problems faced by the people in getting new power connections, he said that he has issued instructions to the chief electrical engineer to take judicious decision while taking connections in releasing new connection and that he has no role to play in this connection, adding that he does not want directions from the High Court on power connections. He assured action if any of the power department employees were found to be engaged in private contracting works.
Replying to issue relating to over billing etc, he said that billing would be outsourced with the pilot project starting in his home constituency of Loutulim. He also announced formation of state electrical inspectorate and bill dispute redressal committee to deal with the allegation of over billing etc.
He also announced that every MLA would be given 200 tube lights and 10 sodium lamps ahead of upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival. He also announced various steps taken by the science, technology and environment department in controlling noise pollution, solid waste management. He further said that there were plans to set up Solid Waste Management Corporation, which would serve as special purpose vehicle to deal with solid waste management in the state.
Mr Sequeira also appreciated good work done by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, headed by Mr J P Singh, the Chief Secretary, even as he pleaded helplessness against the high court order for action against illegal houses under Coastal Regulation Zone. The demands were passed by voice vote after the cut motions were defeated.