PANAJI: Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said Goa’s smart-meter rollout is currently on hold but the state will eventually have to implement the mandatory system. He also said Rs 32 crore recovered from consumers has already been reimbursed and urged people to opt for solar power to reduce electricity bills.
Chaos erupted in the Goa Legislative Assembly over power tariffs, with Opposition MLAs rushing towards the well of the House while raising concerns over electricity charges.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant defended Goa’s power tariffs, stating that consumers using up to 100 units are charged Rs 2.10 per unit, while those consuming up to 300 units pay Rs 3.10 and those consuming below 500 units are charged Rs 4.15 per unit.
Sawant claimed Goa has the lowest electricity tariffs in the country. However, MLA Adv. Carlos Ferreira countered the claim by showing a power bill amounting to around Rs 6 lakh.
He then challenged the Opposition to identify any state with lower electricity tariffs than Goa. “If they show us a state with a lower tariff, I will accept that rate,” Sawant said.
Dhavalikar said Goa has so far generated 103 MW of solar energy and encouraged consumers to adopt solar power as a way to bring down their electricity bills.
