The concerns raised by the Congress delegation regarding the compulsory installation of prepaid smart meters in Goa are fully justified. Despite repeated assurances from the Electricity Department about improved services, consumers across the state continue to face frequent power cuts and voltage fluctuations even after paying their electricity bills regularly. What is even more troubling is the poor response from sections of the department staff during emergencies and breakdowns. Many complaints, whether written or made over phone calls, reportedly remain unattended for hours, especially at night. As a result, many households are forced to invest in costly inverters to safeguard their appliances from damage caused by erratic power supply. Before imposing smart meters on consumers, the government must first ensure uninterrupted and reliable 24x7 electricity service. Goans have every right to question why the government is aggressively pushing smart meters when basic supply issues remain unresolved. Transparency, accountability, and improved service must come before additional financial burden on consumers.
