Hydel power, not privatisation for Goa
The recent reports of moves to hand over Goa’s electricity infrastructure to Tata Power raise serious concerns about the future of our state’s energy independence. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai has rightly pointed out that such privatisation attempts by the “double engine sarkar” of the BJP government in Goa mirror proposals that were already aborted in Karnataka by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. It is worth noting that Tata Power and Adani Power are already entrenched in the electricity distribution business in Mumbai, with Adani having taken over from Reliance Power. Similarly, Tata Power and Reliance Infra operate in Delhi, where the AAP government has managed to control escalating tariffs by providing free electricity up to a certain consumption level. If such a consumer-friendly model were replicated in Goa, residents would finally heave a sigh of relief from the periodic tariff revisions imposed by the Joint Regulatory Commission of Goa. However, beyond distribution, what Goa truly needs is investment in generation capacity. With our abundant rainfall and strong water table, the construction of hydel power stations—particularly along the run of the Dudhsagar River—would be a sustainable solution. This would not only reduce dependence on external utilities but also stabilise mounting power bills for low-tension consumers, which the government has already had to roll back under public pressure. The people of Goa deserve a transparent, forward-looking energy policy that prioritises renewable generation over mere distribution handovers. Privatisation without accountability risks burdening consumers further, while ignoring the immense potential of hydropower within our own state. It is time for the government to listen to the voice of the people and act in the long-term interest of Goa’s energy security.
Assis Everette Telles, Margao
E20 risks exposed
The government maintains that modern vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel. While that is technically correct, it applies only to a small fraction of vehicles on Indian roads, making the claim misleading in a broader context. In reality, only vehicles manufactured after April 2023 and compliant with BS6 Phase II (OBD-II) emission norms are specifically designed to run on E20 fuel. These account for less than 10% of the vehicles currently in use across the country. The vast majority of India’s vehicle fleet—around 80%—was certified for E10 fuel, not E20. As a result, millions of motorists are now using fuel for which their engines were not originally designed. The effects are gradual rather than immediate. Higher ethanol content can accelerate the deterioration of rubber hoses, seals and gaskets in older fuel systems, clog fuel filters more quickly, and increase the risk of engine oil dilution. Vehicles may not fail overnight, but they can experience increased wear and tear, higher maintenance costs, and reduced resale value over time. The issue extends well beyond cars. India has hundreds of millions of older two-wheelers and three-wheelers—including motorcycles, scooters and auto-rickshaws—many of which were also designed for E10 or lower ethanol blends and are now running on E20 fuel. Critics also point to the apparent contradiction that while Indian consumers are supplied with ethanol-blended petrol, companies such as Reliance Industries export premium unblended petrol to overseas markets. They argue that this creates the perception that higher-quality fuel is being sold abroad while domestic consumers receive the blended version.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Goa needs stability
The announcement of a new political party in Goa, just months before the Assembly elections, has sparked intense political debate across the state. While some view it as a healthy development that strengthens democracy by offering voters another alternative, others suspect that the party has been formed with the sole objective of splitting secular votes. Despite being India’s smallest state, Goa has witnessed an unusually large number of political parties over the decades. Many of these parties have faded into oblivion. This raises an important question as to whether Goa really needs another political party. It may be argued that a new party can introduce fresh ideas, new leadership and a renewed focus on governance, transparency and accountability if established parties have failed to meet public expectations. Vote splitting among parties has often resulted in no single party securing a comfortable majority. The consequence has been post-election defections. In the past Goa has earned an unenviable reputation for political instability, with elected representatives switching sides. Another worrying trend is the increasing tendency of disgruntled politicians to float new parties whenever they are denied election tickets by their parent organizations. While every citizen has the constitutional right to form a political party, the proliferation weakens the quality of democratic politics. Political diversity should not come at the cost of stability.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
