Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa has strongly condemned the state government’s decision to impose a 20% power surcharge and install nearly seven lakh smart meters across the state, terming both moves as “blatant attempts to loot Goans under the guise of reforms.”
An AAP delegation led by State President Adv. Amit Palekar, along with Organisation Secretary Shrikrishna Parab, National Spokesperson and Working President Valmiki Naik, Vice President Sunil Signapurkar, and Minority Wing leader Sarfaraz Ankalgi, met senior Power Department officials on Monday to demand an immediate rollback of the new tariffs and meter scheme.
Palekar accused the BJP government of prioritising luxury spending over public welfare.
“The government has funds for ministers’ comforts but none to strengthen Goa’s power infrastructure,” he said. “Instead of fixing transmission losses and faulty streetlights, the BJP is introducing slabs, surcharges, and smart meters to burden the common man. In Punjab, our AAP government provides 300 units of free electricity. If the BJP cannot do that, it should at least stop looting Goans.”
Valmiki Naik questioned the haste behind implementing the new system and hinted at possible vested interests.
“Why is the Power Minister so desperate to push this crores-worth project? Is there a setting behind it?” he asked. “Every new BJP scheme — from smart meters to surcharges — seems designed to rob Goans while rewarding industrialists.”
Shrikrishna Parab warned that the surcharge would severely impact household budgets.
“Most families use electricity during the evening and night hours. A ₹1,000 bill could easily become ₹1,500 with the new surcharge and taxes,” he said. “This is nothing but open daylight robbery.”
Sunil Signapurkar criticised the government for introducing new charges while failing to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
“Before talking about reforms, provide 24-hour electricity to Goans. How can you install smart meters when power cuts are still routine?” he remarked.
AAP demanded that both the smart meter installation and the new tariff structure be scrapped immediately. The party warned that it would launch a statewide agitation if the government proceeds with the scheme without consulting the public.
