Free distribution of three lED bulbs for every family by the BJP-led coalition Government in poll-bound Goa, by tweaking a Central Government scheme, has triggered political fireworks in Goa, with the Opposition alleging that the gifting of bulbs is a poll gimmick, while also claiming there was a scam in the works.
The involvement of BJP’s party cadre in organising lED bulb distribution events has also caused heartburn in the Opposition, which has targeted none other than Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over his presence at one the Jyotimay Ujala lED distribution ceremonies.
launched earlier this month, the scheme envisages to provide three 9 watt lED bulbs to nearly five lakh families in the State free of cost, which according to Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar, will help but down power consumption by as much as 75 per cent.
“The bulbs have been procured by the Central Government at a bulk price and made available to the State Government at subsidised rates under the Ujala scheme. We have done away with even that cost for up to three bulbs per family. Not only can consumers cut down on their power bills because of the lED technology, the State will also save on the subsidy given on power bills and save electricity too,” Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar told The Pioneer, soon after launching the scheme.
The scheme however hit rough weather after the Opposition alleged that the ruling politicians were pulling wool over people’s eyes, by claiming that the bulbs being given away free were worth Rs 1,200 (for a set of three), when in fact their price was much lower.
“Bulbs of these specifications and made by reputed companies cost in the range of `100. So the very fact that Parsekar and his team are over pricing them is a subject of investigation,” Opposition legislator Vijai Sardesai told The Pioneer.
The Oppositions’ gripe about the scheme doesn’t end there. Another independent opposition legislator Rohan Khaunte has accused the State Government of involving BJP cadre in the bulb distribution exercise, which party spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar claimed was the domain of the state electricity department.
“This is a political gimmick. Why should party workers involve themselves in Government eventsIJ This is clearly done with the elections in mind and is violation of Government business rules,” Khaunte.
In Sal village in Bicholim in North Goa as well as in Cavrem village in the Quepem sub district of South Goa, villagers protested at the bulb distribution events claiming along with the BJP bulbs, the party’s political pamphlets were also being distributed.
State Bharatiya Janata Party president Vinay Tendulkar has however rejected the allegations of political interference, but also added that the involvement of the BJP had ensured that the reach of the scheme widens and the benefits reaches the common man in distant reaches of Goa, which is expected to go to poll in early 2017.
“The Government has organised over 150 bulb distribution events and this has rattled the Opposition which is crying foul… We have involved the cadre, because the government machinery has its limitations. Our cadre is working to ensure success of the scheme by working day and night,” Tendulkar told The Pioneer.