Team Goemkarponn
CALANGUTE: In a shocking case of administrative neglect, the Calangute Traffic Police office has been functioning without electricity for the last five days after power supply was disconnected over unpaid electricity bills amounting to ₹8,10,567, pending since 2023.
The office, operating from a panchayat-owned property, has reportedly been relying on candlelight during night hours, while computers have been shifted to another location to keep essential work going. The prolonged outage has also affected tourists and motorists, who have been unable to pay traffic challans at the office during the last five days.
The incident has triggered sharp political reactions, with Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao accusing the BJP-led Goa government of failing to ensure even basic functioning of government departments.
Alemao said the BJP government’s much-publicised “Sarkar” initiative appeared to have failed in making adequate budgetary provisions for essential payments in the Home Department, or that the administration itself had failed to discharge its duties responsibly.
“The power cut at the Traffic Police office in Calangute, caused by unpaid electricity bills pending since 2023, is a stark reminder of how poorly our government offices are functioning,” Alemao stated.
Targeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, he remarked that the Chief Minister’s often-repeated slogan “Bhivpachi garaz na” stands exposed when a law enforcement office is forced to function by candlelight.
“What more can we expect from a government that boasts of grand events funded through borrowings, while neglecting the most fundamental responsibilities?” he questioned.
Congress leader Amarnath Panjikar also criticised the state government, alleging financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.
“Goa under CM Pramod Sawant exposes a worrying reality — there are no funds to clear basic dues like electricity bills, yet relentless collections continue from citizens through traffic fines,” Panjikar said.
“This isn’t governance, it is mismanagement. A BJP government that burdens people while failing to meet its own obligations reflects financial bankruptcy and zero accountability,” he added.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the functioning of key public offices in Goa and the impact of administrative lapses on both citizens and tourists in one of the state’s busiest tourism hubs.
