Previously, the Electricity department ordered shutdown of power supply only when some repairs or maintenance work had to be done. In such case it gave advance notice to the public informing the date, time and purpose of shutdown. Many a time no advance notice is given and when it is given the purpose of shutdown is not informed. These common and frequent shutdowns of power supply of long duration causes inconvenience to all people. It is suspected that these areawise frequent shutdowns are arranged by the department for load shedding. The Union Ministry of Power have promulgated the Electricity (Rights of Consumer) Rules 2020 under Section 176 of Electricity Act wherein it has provided that there shall be no gratituous/wilful load shedding by Electricity Distribution Companies, which in Goa is the Electricity Department. Under these rules 24x7 power supply is a right of consumers and compensation should be paid to the consumers if wilful load shedding is done. The people of Goa expect the Electricity Department to work within the framework of these rules. I request Goan consumer and civic rights forums to please take up this matter with the government.
