10K comply, others seek clarity as Nov 28 cutoff approaches
PANAJI
With the November 28 deadline fast approaching, the Electricity Department’s directive to relocate electricity meters from inside homes and premises inaccessible to meter readers to outdoor locations has triggered both compliance and confusion among consumers.
The directive, issued through a public notice by Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes on multiple occasions in recent months, requires consumers to ensure that their meters are accessible to department staff for regular readings.
The move, officials had said, is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing disputes over billing and ensuring transparency in meter reading.
According to Executive Engineer Siddharth Sakhardande, approximately 10,000 consumers have already complied with the order. “We have seen a steady response, and many households have shifted their meters outdoors as directed,” he said.
However, Sakhardande acknowledged that thousands of others have approached the department seeking clarification and advice on how to go about the relocation.
“There are practical concerns. Consumers want to know the technical requirements, costs involved, and whether the department will provide assistance. We are addressing these queries on a case-by-case basis,” he explained.
The department is also grappling with a unique challenge: a significant number of homes and premises in Goa remain unoccupied, with owners residing outside the State or abroad.
“We are working on what to do in such cases. It is not straightforward, since compliance requires physical presence and coordination,” Sakhardande noted.
The public notice had earlier warned that non-compliance could potentially lead to action, including the disconnection of the power supply. Asked whether such measures would indeed be enforced, Sakhardande said he was not aware of any instruction to proceed with disconnections.
“The department’s top leadership and the government will take a call at an appropriate time,” he added, suggesting that a final decision on penalties may depend on the scale of compliance achieved by the deadline.
Consumer groups have expressed concern that the directive, while well-intentioned, may impose financial and logistical burdens on households, particularly those with older constructions where relocating meters outdoors could involve significant rewiring. Some residents have also questioned whether the department will provide technical support or bear part of the costs.
With just two weeks left, the Electricity Department is expected to intensify its outreach to consumers, clarifying procedures and offering guidance. Whether the government will extend the deadline or adopt a phased approach, however, remains to be seen.
