Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Chairman of the Media & Communication Department, Amarnath Panjikar, has criticized the Electricity Department and the BJP-led government, alleging that consumers were not adequately informed about sanctioned load requirements before penalties were imposed.
Addressing the issue, Panjikar questioned why the Electricity Department did not send individual notices to consumers despite having their billing addresses, mobile numbers, and other contact details.
“If the Government was genuinely interested in ensuring compliance, why were notices merely published in newspapers? Is there any law that requires every electricity consumer to read newspaper advertisements in order to avoid penalties? Why were these important notices not printed and sent along with monthly electricity bills that are delivered to every consumer?” he asked.
Panjikar argued that the government had several consumer-friendly communication options, including SMS alerts, WhatsApp notifications, bill inserts, awareness campaigns through local bodies, public announcements, and social media outreach, but failed to effectively utilize them.
“The primary responsibility of the Government is to inform, educate, and assist consumers. Instead, the BJP Government appears more interested in penalizing citizens than helping them comply with regulations. Consumers should not be punished for the Government’s own failure to communicate effectively,” he said.
He further stated that lakhs of consumers, particularly senior citizens, rural residents, and ordinary households, may not have been aware of the technical requirements relating to sanctioned load. According to him, imposing penalties without ensuring widespread awareness is unfair and insensitive.
Panjikar demanded that the Power Minister explain why a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign was not undertaken before initiating penal action. He also urged the government to immediately suspend the penalties until every consumer is properly informed and given a reasonable opportunity to comply.
“The people of Goa are already burdened by rising prices, increased cost of living, and mounting household expenses. The Government must stop treating consumers as easy targets for revenue collection. Transparency, accountability, and consumer welfare must take precedence over arbitrary penalties and bureaucratic high-handedness,” he asserted.
He concluded by stating that the Congress Party stands with electricity consumers and will continue to raise their concerns until justice is ensured.
