Kamat backs consumers, seeks waiver as power load penalty row escalates

Accompanied by his close aides and supporters, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat is seen making a point to senior Power Department official Rajeev Samant on the penalty imposed for increasing electricity load.

MARGAO
In a significant development that has brought Chief Minister Pramod Sawant into the picture on a sensitive issue concerning the Power Department, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday demanded a waiver of the penalty imposed on consumers for increasing their electricity load without prior approval from the department.

The demand came after a large number of power consumers from Kamat’s Margao constituency, including residents and hoteliers, gathered at the Aquem Power House on Friday morning to protest what they described as inflated electricity bills resulting from the penalty clause.

Responding to the growing public outcry, Kamat visited the Aquem Power House and held a meeting with senior Power Department official Rajeev Samant. During the meeting, the minister asserted that he could not remain a silent spectator while consumers, including daily-wage workers of the Margao Municipal Council, were burdened with hefty power bills.

Kamat subsequently spoke with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP State President Damu Naik from the Power House, apprising them of the difficulties being faced by thousands of consumers due to the load penalty. He expressed confidence that the Chief Minister would take a decision on the matter within the next couple of days. “I spoke to the Chief Minister regarding the penalty issue. I am confident that he will take a decision that will not go against the interests of the common man,” Kamat said.

Pending the Chief Minister’s decision, Kamat urged the Power Department to keep its ongoing action related to the penalty on hold.

Seeking immediate relief for affected consumers, Kamat also called on the department to establish a dedicated help desk at its offices to assist consumers in regularising and increasing their sanctioned electricity load. “Consumers are already struggling with hefty bills raised by the department. At the same time, they are being forced to depend on private agencies that charge thousands of rupees to process applications for load enhancement,” he said.

The minister maintained that the controversy could have been avoided had the Power Department carried out periodic inspections of consumer installations and monitored load usage more effectively. “Either the department should conduct inspections of all installations on a regular basis or set up a help desk to facilitate consumers in increasing their sanctioned load through proper procedures,” Kamat said.

Kamat questions readiness for smart meter shift

MARGAO: Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat has expressed reservations over the Power Department’s proposal to replace existing electronic electricity meters with smart meters, stating that he does not support the move at this stage.

“I am of the opinion that there is no need to replace the existing meters with smart meters. We can discuss smart meters in the future,” Kamat said.

He added that he would urge the government to postpone the installation of smart meters until broader concerns are addressed.

Highlighting the potential impact on economically weaker sections of society, Kamat questioned how consumers who do not own smartphones or lack digital literacy would be able to operate and manage the new system. “Many consumers from the downtrodden sections may not be using Android mobile phones because of financial constraints. How will they operate smart meters using older phones, especially when they have limited knowledge of online operations?” he asked.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions on the proposed rollout of smart meters across the State, with concerns being raised about accessibility, affordability, and consumer preparedness for the transition.