Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a significant policy reversal, the Goa government has officially discontinued its free water supply scheme as of May 1. The decision was announced via a formal notification issued by U P Parsekar, Principal Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department and Ex Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of Goa.
The scheme, launched in September 2021, was a key initiative of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who had declared Goa would become India’s first state to offer water free of charge to all households. The policy allowed households consuming less than 16 cubic meters of water per month to receive zero bills. At the time of its rollout, the government claimed the measure would benefit approximately 60% of households, particularly those residing in apartments and housing complexes.
No reason has been cited in the official notification for discontinuing the subsidy. With its withdrawal, all households in Goa will now be charged for their water consumption, regardless of usage volume. The move is expected to affect nearly half of the state’s population who had been availing of the benefit.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao strongly criticized the government’s decision, calling it insensitive and ill-timed. “I strongly condemn this decision, which will only add to the financial burden on citizens during a time of high inflation. What’s next? Will they hike power tariffs as well? It’s shameful that this government seems so insensitive towards the common man,” Alemao posted on social media platform X.
The rollback marks a stark departure from Chief Minister Sawant’s 2021 Independence Day promise, when he pledged round-the-clock potable water at no cost to every Goan household.
