Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Congress leader Amarnath Panjikar has demanded that the BJP-led Goa Government clarify the circumstances surrounding the proposed entry of Tata Power into the state’s electricity distribution sector, alleging that the issue has raised serious concerns over transparency and public accountability.
Panjikar claimed that the controversy had gone beyond a policy debate after an Electricity Department engineer allegedly linked the proposal to election funding. He said the government must respond to the allegations instead of remaining silent, as the matter concerns public trust.
Questioning the rationale behind Tata Power’s proposed expansion into Goa, Panjikar said reports suggesting the company had withdrawn a similar application in Karnataka following opposition had raised further questions. He asked why Goa had become the focus of the proposal and whether the move was being driven by public interest or other undisclosed factors.
The Congress leader maintained that electricity distribution is an essential public service and should not be influenced by political or corporate interests. He urged the government to clarify whether the proposal was intended to improve consumer services or to facilitate private participation at the expense of the public.
Panjikar also called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to make public all files, correspondence, proposals and official communications related to Tata Power’s proposed entry into Goa’s electricity distribution sector.
He further demanded an independent inquiry into the matter, stating that a transparent investigation would help dispel public doubts if the government had acted appropriately. Panjikar said the Congress would continue to oppose any move that, in its view, compromises Goa’s interests and would hold the government accountable on the issue.
