MARGAO
Even as the smart meter project has yet to reach large parts of Salcete taluka, opposition to the initiative continues to gather momentum across Goa, with residents increasingly questioning whether the installation of smart meters is optional or mandatory.
The movement against smart meters, spearheaded by the citizens’ collective Citizens for Democracy (CFD), has brought the issue into sharper focus, with consumers repeatedly raising concerns over transparency, consent, safety, billing accuracy, and the legal basis for the implementation of the project.
The CFD is now pinning its hopes on the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC), which has taken suo motu cognisance of the growing public agitation. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Commission early next week. CFD is expected to file an intervention application seeking to be impleaded as a party to the proceedings.
Data privacy concerns
“We have raised a host of questions relating to consumer consent, data privacy, billing mechanisms, and the overall necessity of the project. Unfortunately, no satisfactory answers have been forthcoming from the authorities,” CFD convenor and former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes said.
“Why the haste in implementing smart meters? When citizens are clashing over something that is being imposed on them, it clearly points to a lack of trust and transparency,” he said.
Gomes further pointed to what he described as a significant assurance given by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who reportedly stated on the floor of the Lok Sabha on April 2 that smart meters cannot be installed without the consent of electricity consumers.
Echoing similar concerns, CFD spokesperson Amar Gaonkar criticised the Electricity Department for proceeding with the rollout. “It is shocking and unacceptable that the department is attempting to force smart meters on the public while failing to provide basic information on issues such as safety, legality, technical reliability, and billing accuracy,” Gaonkar said.
