Karnataka
victimises Goa's border village
Rupesh Samant
5 January 2004
The Surla village situated on Goa and Karnataka border is
paying high price for the differences between two states.
For last three days, this village is in the pitch darkness
following disconnection of electricity supply by Karnataka.
The Karnataka electricity department officials claim that
the Goa government owes them Rs 3 lakh towards electricity
bill, which has forced them to take this drastic step.
The village comprising of 65 houses is a part of Goa's remote
Sattari taluka bordering these two states. Labelled as `mini-Ootty'
because of its cool climate, it is situated 800 metres above
sea level.
Nearest power station being Kankunbi in Karanataka which
is 7 kms away, Goa government had worked out an arrangement
with its neighbours to supply power for this village. For
last 15 years, the village has been provided electricity from
there. Though politically situated in Goa, topographically
Kankumbi is the nearest village for Surla. Thane-Golali village
situated in Goa is second-nearest to it being 9 kms away.
Largely dependent on agriculture and farming, the villagers
were in rude shock on January 3 when Karnataka electricity
officials armed with gadgets entered the village and discontinued
their power supply. They walked to the local panchayat informing
them that the electricity will remain discontinued till Goa
government pays Rs 3 lakh which they owe in the form of electricity
charges.
``Locals are regular in paying the bills. No house in our
village is a defaulter. How can the state government adopt
such lethargic attitude,'' questioned local sarpanch Mr Shrikant
Gaonkar.
Added another village youth and a journalist, Mr Pandurang
Gaonkar,``the Goa government has never bothered to look into
our problems. They do not consider our existence.''
The Goa's power department was unaware about the discontinuation
of electricity supply. ``I have no knowledge about such a
liability. We will have to check about it with the chief engineer,''
stated Goa's power minister, Mr Digamber Kamat speaking about
Rs 3 lakh liability.
According to Mr Kamat, the state government has given generator
set to the villagers so that if there is a power cut at least
street lights are working.
The villagers, however, claim that the state government does
not pay for the diesel required to run the genset hence it
remains unused.
Left with no option, the villagers have decided to summon
power minister, Mr Kamat on the issue. They are expected to
meet him tomorrow.
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