PANAJI
The Goa Electricity Department’s ambitious smart meter rollout has taken a farcical turn, with officials sending contradictory letters to consumers even as resistance to the Rs 890-crore project persists.
In one case that has come to light in Bardez, a consumer received a letter stating that the old meter will "not" be replaced with a new smart meter.
Days later, another letter arrived with the word “not” struck out. The Executive Engineer refrained from signing his name, and instead, attached a glossy smart meters' brochure without any official policy details or document of the department.
The episode has left the consumer amused, confused, and more skeptical than ever.
The department plans to install 7.5 lakh smart meters across Goa and the rollout began first in government offices. It is now targeting households in Panaji, Taleigao, Bambolim, St Cruz and Corlim.
But resistance continues to be stiff and several incidents have been reported recently where the vendor teams have been forced to abandon installation after heated protests.
Activists argue that compulsory installation violates consumer rights. Former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes points to Section 47 of the Electricity Act, 2002, which allows prepaid meters voluntarily, not compulsorily.
“This is being pushed without transparency,” he said.
Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar meanwhile insists consumers will pay nothing for installation and that privacy safeguards are in place. Officials too maintain the replacement is a techno‑commercial decision and part of a nationwide modernization drive.
Yet the contradiction of letters, first denying replacement, and then awkwardly correcting it, has turned a serious policy rollout into a bureaucratic comedy.
