Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Assembly witnessed a heated showdown between GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar over soaring electricity bills and the controversial smart-meter rollout, with the Opposition accusing the government of failing to give consumers a clear answer on rising power costs.
Sardesai launched a sharp attack on the government, saying electricity bills had become a major burden on ordinary households. He pointed out that consumers who once paid around ₹600 a month were now receiving bills of up to ₹6,000 and demanded immediate relief through a reduction in the load tariff.
The GFP MLA also questioned why consumers were not being given a choice between conventional digital meters and prepaid smart meters. He sought a categorical assurance that consumers would not be subjected to further increases through additional charges or other tariff mechanisms.
Dhavalikar, however, rejected the Opposition’s criticism and maintained that Goa had not increased electricity tariffs beyond the rates approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC). He also claimed that Goa’s electricity rates remained lower than those in other states.
The minister said smart-meter installation for domestic consumers was currently on hold but stressed that Goa would ultimately have to implement the system as it is mandatory under rules framed by the Union Ministry.
The government’s position triggered further confrontation, with all seven Opposition MLAs entering the Well of the House after alleging that Dhavalikar had failed to provide specific answers to their questions.
The exchange also saw Chief Minister Pramod Sawant throw down a challenge to the Opposition, saying he was prepared to change Goa’s power tariff if they could prove that another state had lower rates.
Dhavalikar attributed higher electricity consumption in some cases to climatic conditions and increased use of air conditioners, particularly at night. He said the government was willing to demonstrate the difference between smart meters and conventional digital meters.
On the money collected from consumers, Dhavalikar said ₹32 crore had already been reimbursed. He also pointed to solar power as a way for consumers to bring down their electricity bills, stating that Goa had so far generated 103 MW of solar energy.
