MAPUSA
Resistance to the State government's plan to install smart electricity meters is steadily growing in Bardez, with gram sabhas in at least two village panchayats ” Siolim-Marna and Assagao ” unanimously opposing the proposed rollout amid concerns over transparency, costs and the functioning of the new system.
The opposition mirrors sentiments being expressed in several parts of Goa, where residents remain sceptical about the government's push to replace conventional electricity meters with smart meters despite repeated assurances from the authorities about their benefits.
Growing opposition at grassroots level
In Assagao, villagers strongly objected to the proposal during the gram sabha, arguing that the move would place an unnecessary financial burden on consumers and questioning the need for another replacement when existing meters were changed only a few years ago.
Residents also expressed suspicion over the procurement and installation process, with some alleging that the project could be linked to vested interests.
"The government is always anti-people. First, they asked us to remove meters from inside our homes and install them outside. Now they want to fit smart meters. These decisions are taken by people who have no practical knowledge of the difficulties faced by ordinary consumers," said Assagao resident Owen Braganza.
Similar concerns were raised in neighbouring Siolim-Marna, where villagers said they were yet to receive adequate information about how the smart meters function and how they would affect electricity billing.
"We have several doubts and need clarification on the functioning of the smart meters. We have asked officials from the electricity department to come and explain the system to us and clear our doubts," said Siolim-Marna resident Joaquim Barros.
The growing resistance comes even as the Electricity Department prepares to expand the smart meter rollout across Goa under the Centre's power sector modernisation programme.
A senior Electricity Department official said the installation of smart meters in domestic households in Bardez has not yet begun. "In Bardez, smart meters have already been installed in government offices, public buildings, transformer centres and various substations. The next phase will cover commercial establishments, after which the rollout will be extended to residential consumers," the official said.
Officials defend smart meter benefits
Department officials maintain that smart meters can help consumers track electricity consumption in real time, monitor load usage and improve billing efficiency. "Ideally, smart meters are very good for consumers because they allow them to monitor their electricity usage and consumption patterns more effectively," another senior official said.
However, the official also expressed reservations about the quality-control mechanisms being followed during the current rollout.
Concerns raised over quality checks
"Earlier, every smart meter supplied for installation was tested in a laboratory and installed only after proper authentication. That practice has now been discontinued, and the meters are being checked only on a random basis," the official said.
He cautioned that any large-scale installation of faulty meters could lead to consumer grievances and place additional pressure on the department. "If the meters turn out to be faulty, there will be a huge rush of people approaching the department to get their meters checked," he added.
With opposition mounting at the grassroots level and residents demanding greater transparency, the government's smart meter programme is likely to face increasing scrutiny in the coming months.
