At a public debate on power reforms organised here speakers from industry, trade unions, power department and members of the public examined the functioning of the power department in the state and debated the merits and demerits of privatisation of the power supply system in the state.

While members of the Goa chambers of commerce and industry wanted privatisation of the power sector it was objected to by the trade unions and members of the public. However all parties were unanimous in that politicians be kept out of the department.

Industry representatives demanded that investors in the power sector be given majority control in the power corporation. Trade unionists however opposed this on the grounds that Goa would become self sufficient in power after it receiveselectricity allocation from plants in Maharashtra and Karnataka in 2001. They felt that the government of Goa will give up cheaper options by buying power from big industrial groups.

This stand also won support from representatives of small scale units in the state. Anil Kher of the Goa small scale industries association alleged that the department was deliberately mismanged so that it could be osold off cheaply as a loss making institution.

Kher alleged that nearly Rs. 40 crore worth of electricity was stolen every year. The recovery of just this amount would be sufficient to turn the electricity department with a profit making body. He also called for tightening controls over power guzzling mettalurgical industries. Some of which were recently charge sheeted by the government for stealing power.

The debate concluded with a resolution being passed calling for the setting up of a power transmission and distribution, corporation in the joint sector.