Panaji: Power Minister Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, on Friday, said consumers install generators and inverters using unprofessional contractors and substandard equipment, endangering Electricity Department workers.
“There are regulations in public domain which require the consumers of Electricity Department to abide with strict protocols while installing generators, inverters, solar inverters in their systems. The public, however, pay scant respect to these very important and lifesaving regulations, and install generating devices of questionable makes, using unprofessional workmen or contractors to carry out the works, thus jeopardising the lives of departmental workmen,” said Dhavalikar.
He was replying to a calling attention motion by Poriem MLA Deviya Rane, who raised the issue following the death of a lineman from Morlem, Sattari,
and other recent fatalities from electric shocks while on duty.
Rane said, “In the last three years, over 59 linesmen and wiremen have been injured, and nine have died. Among them, two are from Sattari. Families need jobs but they are scared and do not want to take up the jobs if there are no safety measures. In view of this, what steps will the government take to implement safety protocols.”
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said many linemen were given safety gear but they do not use them.
He said the staff are aging and have not received training and should now be trained in using protective equipment.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned how many people had registered after the government’s audit announcement on inverters and generators.
He called for a district-level task force to conduct monthly safety reviews and inspections.
“When you come out with such things, the public will start registering,” Alemao said, adding that the wearable safety tags which were announced by the minister, should be scaled up which include alert wrist band, shockproof gloves, insulated tools, voltage testers, standard PPE kits.
“When any such incident takes place, there has to be an inquiry within 15 days and responsibility should be fixed. FIR should be filed. Refreshers safety training every six months should be provided,” he said.
Dhavalikar informed the House that the department regularly conducts training sessions for all staff levels, from line helpers to senior engineers, at various centres including the in-house training centre at Curti, Ponda. He said safety gear is being provided to the line staff, who are also expected to follow safety protocols during shutdowns.
“Government jobs on contract should be provided to family members of deceased workers within a month, as harness cases take too long,” said Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.
