In a state where electricity is an essential service underpinning economic activity, development, and basic quality of life, the management of the sector needs to be rooted in transparency, financial discipline, and accountability. The recent statement by Goa’s Power Minister, Sudin Dhavalikar, that over ₹80 crore worth of pending electricity bills from various government departments will be “transferred through the books of accounts” after the assembly session, raises far more questions than it answers. Even more alarming is the revelation that the total outstanding electricity dues in the state now exceed ₹300 crore, a massive financial gap that threatens the sustainability of the sector.
The timing of these disclosures is especially pertinent given ongoing discussions about a potential hike in power tariffs.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), which governs electricity tariffs in Goa and other Union Territories, must exercise caution and foresight before giving any nod to such a move. If the state’s own departments are defaulting on payments, it is unjust and untenable to ask ordinary citizens to bear the financial brunt.
Government departments are not above the law or civic responsibility. When they consume electricity without paying for it, they are not only violating the norms of fiscal prudence but also setting a poor precedent for the rest of society. What incentive is there for ordinary households or small businesses to pay on time when they see government offices racking up crores in unpaid bills with impunity?
The claim that these bills will be “adjusted” through account books after the assembly raises concerns about transparency and actual recovery. This form of intra-departmental ledger adjustment does not represent real revenue for the electricity department. It is merely a notional transfer that does not improve cash flow or reduce the burden on the Goa Electricity Department (GED). What is needed is an actual, timely settlement of dues — not a creative reshuffling of financial statements.
The suggestion of a power tariff hike at this juncture is ill-conceived. Any move to raise tariffs should first be preceded by demonstrable efforts to clean up the current mess.
The JERC must demand full accountability from the state government before entertaining any proposals for tariff revisions. If over ₹300 crore is lying unpaid, why burden the common man instead of recovering what is due from institutional defaulters?
Further, any hike without correcting this massive leakage in revenue would only serve to mask deeper inefficiencies. The state would be effectively punishing law-abiding consumers for the failures of its own departments. This is not only unjust — it is also unsustainable.
The situation also calls for broader structural reforms. The power sector in Goa, as in many parts of India, suffers from operational inefficiencies, inadequate metering, outdated infrastructure, and poor billing mechanisms. These factors contribute significantly to revenue losses and undercut the credibility of the electricity department.
Regular audits, digital billing systems, and time-bound recovery mechanisms must be institutionalised. Government departments, in particular, must be put on prepaid or metered billing models to ensure compliance. Internal circulars and verbal assurances are not enough. The accountability mechanism must be both transparent and enforceable, with the Chief Secretary personally monitoring recoveries from defaulters.
The average Goan consumer is already grappling with inflation, rising fuel costs, and the aftershocks of the pandemic. Any additional hike in electricity bills would further strain household budgets. It would also hurt small businesses, industries, and tourism stakeholders — all of whom depend heavily on affordable and reliable electricity.
The Goa government must demonstrate its commitment to fiscal responsibility by ensuring that its own departments pay their dues. Recovery from defaulters — particularly those under the government’s control — is not just a financial imperative, it is a moral one.
Before speaking of tariff hikes, the state must put its own house in order. Transparency, accountability, and real recovery must precede any increase in rates. The JERC owes it to the people of Goa to ensure that the burden of inefficiency is not passed on to those who have always paid their bills on time.
Electricity is a public good, but its delivery must not become a public farce.
