----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Surge in voltage destroys appliances in Firguem Bhat --------------------------------------------------------------------- Residents of Firguem Bhat in Merces witnessed the darker side of Electricity Department when electrical appliances of many in the area were destroyed presumably due to a surge in the voltage. Claiming this, the convenor of Merces Civic and Consumer Forum, Florian Fernandes said that altogether 12 families have been affected due to high voltage which occurred around 4.30 in the evening.
The worst affected was Esabela Fernandes whose washing machine, an empty cylinder, refrigerator, internal wiring, utensils, and even a cupboard were destroyed. Apparently, her washing machine which was 'on' at the time of high voltage had stopped functioning but she thought that it was due to power failure.
It was only when her neighbours informed her about the burning of electrical equipment in their houses that she realised that the gravity of the situation. But the worst was yet to come.
At around 12 in the night, she noticed flames of fire shooting out of kitchen and the adjacent room. Thanks to presence of mind of her neighbours before the fire brigade could arrive they had managed to extinguish the fire. "Timely help of ours neighbours saved us. The fire would have been uncontrollable if the gas cylinder kept in the kitchen has been full. Fortunately it was an empty one" informed perturbed Esabela Fernandes.
According to the Electricity Department, the cause of fire is the defective wiring of her house and the department has nothing to do with it. Blaming the Electricity Department for the fire at her place, she has lodged a complaint with Merces Civic and Consumer Forum and Electricity Department claiming Rs 50000 for the loss she has suffered.
Furthermore the Electricity Department has refused to shoulder any responsibility for the high voltage caused in the area claiming that it was result of natural calamity. Apparently Electricity Department is not liable to compensate its consumer for losses caused due to natural calamity.
And so in this case the culprit is a tree that fell on the conductor in Merces which destroyed TVs, washing machine, fridge, tape recorders, cordless phones, fused electric tubes and bulbs. However, the residents of Firguem Bhat are not willing to believe Electricity Department.
Francis Pereira and the resident of Firguem Bhat informed Herald that for the last one year the transformer located in Firguem Bhat has been giving problem. In fact it has been the cause of frequent power failure, high and low voltage in the area. People living in the houses locates close to the transformer has even complained about the transformer more than a year ago but the situation never changed. -------------------------------------- HERALD 17/7/03 page 4 --------------------------------------
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