Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A section of residents from Anjuna staged a protest outside the office of the Chief Engineer of the Electricity Department, demanding an inquiry into what they described as an alarming surge in electricity bills and seeking urgent intervention from the state government.
The protesters claimed that several households had received bills far exceeding their usual monthly payments, raising concerns over the financial impact on consumers. They alleged that the sudden increase had caused distress among residents and called for immediate corrective measures.
During discussions with the protesters, Electricity Department officials reportedly stated that the higher bills were the result of penalties imposed on consumers whose electricity consumption had exceeded their sanctioned load limits. Officials advised consumers to apply for an enhancement of their sanctioned load to avoid similar charges in the future.
Residents, however, maintained that many consumers were unaware of the implications of exceeding sanctioned load limits and questioned whether adequate information had been provided before the penalties were enforced. They warned that if the issue remains unresolved, consumers across Goa could face similar difficulties.
The protesters urged the government to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign explaining sanctioned load norms and related charges. They also sought a grace period of three to four months during which consumers could regularise their sanctioned load without being subjected to hefty penalties.
A delegation of residents is expected to submit formal representations to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and the Power Minister, seeking relief for affected consumers and a review of the billing mechanism.
Some protesters further alleged that the move could eventually compel consumers to accept smart meter installations, a charge that has added to public concern surrounding the issue.
To underscore the seriousness of their demands, the residents organised a symbolic “Pej Andolan” during the protest, serving rice gruel to participants while pressing for what they termed a fair and transparent resolution to the billing controversy.
