http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=021715
Power duty hiked to five paise per unit NT Staff Reporter Panaji Feb 16: The state legislative assembly today increased the electricity duty from two paisa to five paisa per unit for maintaining street lighting by passing the Goa electricity duty (amendment) bill 2006. The House also amended the Goa salary allowance and pension of members of the legislative assembly bill 2005, which had been returned to the House by the Governor, Mr S C Jamir. The Law Minister, Mr Dayanand Narvekar moved the amendment to the clause 1 sub-clause 2 for fixing maximum limit of the pension to Rs 27,000, which was later passed by the House with voice-vote. Mr Narvekar said the BAC has fixed the maximum limit. He thanked the Governor for returning the bill to the House for considering the maximum limit of the pension. During the passing of the electricity bill, the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar suggested creation of a separate pool exclusively for maintenance of street lightening instead of putting this duty into general pool. The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane said the government was ready to accept Mr Parrikar's suggestion. Acknowledging grievances of some opposition members over not getting fixtures and tube lights, the Power Minister, Mr Digamber Kamat, who moved the bill, informed the House that he had moved a proposal to increase fund for purchasing electricity materials so as to supply them to panchayats and village panchayats through local MLAs. The Panchayat Minister, Mr Subash Shirodkar informed that the government has raised the limit to the tune of Rs 2 lakh for purchasing street lighting materials to village bodies. The Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao informed the House that the government had decided to distribute electricity fixtures to class 'C' and 'D' municipality through SUDA. The government has allowed the limit up to Rs 2 lakh for purchasing street lighting materials for 'A' and 'B' class municipalities. The House also passed Goa Building (Lease, Reant, and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Bill 2006. -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
