PANAJI
The State Electricity Department has streamlined the process for providing electricity connections required for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme, allowing a single application to cover multiple connections at different locations across Goa.
Under a notification issued by the Office of the Chief Electrical Engineer, the department has adopted a Common Application Form (CAF) for electricity connection requests related to the programme. The move is aimed at reducing procedural delays and speeding up the implementation of the telecom infrastructure project in the State.
Under the new framework, electricity connections provided at gram panchayats and villages under the Amended BharatNet Programme will be classified and treated as government connections, in accordance with directions issued by the Ministry of Power.
The department will also facilitate the consolidation of monthly electricity bills for all connections held by a single applicant under the programme. The provision will cover telecom service providers, infrastructure providers, Bharat Broadband Network implementation agencies and other authorised agencies, subject to applicable regulatory and operational requirements.
The notification directs engineers of the Electricity Department to take immediate action to implement the new provisions. Electricity connections required under the programme are to be expedited and processed in accordance with the directives.
The decision follows references from the Ministry of Power and the Union Ministry of Finance regarding the implementation of Right of Way rules and the BharatNet programme.
The Goa government approved the measures through an order dated August 26, 2026, while the Electricity Department issued its notification on September 9, with immediate effect.
