Warns of march to Minister’s residence if govt fails to provide relief
Velim MLA Cruz Silva along with a delegation of Areal residents called on Superintending Engineer, Rajeev Samant over the hefty power bills.
PANAJI
Stepping up its attack on the State government over soaring electricity bills, AAP Goa on Friday demanded the immediate withdrawal of penalties linked to sanctioned load violations and warned of a protest march to Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar’s residence if the issue remains unresolved.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik said electricity bills had “crossed all logical limits”, with consumers across Goa receiving bills running into thousands of rupees. He cited protests in Anjuna and Mapusa, along with widespread complaints on social media, as evidence of growing public anger.
Naik blamed the spike in bills on penalties imposed for exceeding sanctioned load limits. “Many consumers obtained electricity connections 20 or 30 years ago and are unaware of their sanctioned load today,” he said, adding that increased power consumption due to appliances such as air-conditioners and refrigerators was a natural consequence of changing lifestyles.
“The department is penalising consumers for not updating paperwork, even though they are paying for the electricity they consume. This is unfair,” he said.
Naik alleged that the process of enhancing sanctioned load was being used to collect security deposits and processing fees, and criticised what he termed additional burdens on consumers through digital meters, Public Lighting Duty and FPPCA charges.
He also opposed the proposed smart meter rollout, claiming it would increase financial pressure on consumers. According to him, funds earmarked for smart meters should instead be used to strengthen power infrastructure and promote solar energy.
Targeting Dhavalikar, Naik objected to remarks suggesting that complaints over electricity bills were politically motivated. “How can families earning Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 a month be expected to pay electricity bills of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000? These are genuine concerns,” he said.
AAP demanded the immediate withdrawal of sanctioned load penalties, a three-month window for consumers to regularise their sanctioned load, and a waiver of additional security deposits during the process.
Velim MLA meets power official over inflated bills, demands rollback
MARGAO: Velim MLA Cruz Silva, accompanied by residents of São José de Areal, met Electricity Department Superintendent Engineer Rajeev Samant to raise concerns over sudden spikes in meter readings, inflated power bills and penalties for increased electricity load.
During the meeting, Silva demanded the immediate withdrawal of the penalties and urged the department to adjust amounts already paid by consumers in their subsequent bills.
“The amounts paid by consumers should be adjusted in the next bill. Electricity bills should be issued every month to avoid confusion and hardship,” he said.
Silva maintained that residents of the Velim constituency should not be burdened with unjust penalties and irregular billing practices. He assured consumers that he would continue to pursue the matter until corrective measures are taken by the department.
