Digital Goa, July 23 – Amid ongoing public opposition to the rollout of smart meters in Goa, the state government has notified the implementation of the JERC Electricity Supply Code (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2024, providing the regulatory framework for smart pre-payment meters and revised electricity supply norms. The new regulations mandate smart pre-payment or pre-payment meters for all new electricity connections, prescribe timelines for new connections, allow online applications and tracking, and provide for a penalty of up to ₹500 per day for delays by distribution licensees. Under the regulations, smart meters will be read remotely every day, enabling consumers to monitor their daily electricity consumption and balance through a website, mobile app or SMS, while other pre-payment meters will be read at least once every three months by authorised personnel. The rules also remove penalties for maximum demand recorded before installation of smart meters and provide for automatic revision of sanctioned load based on actual demand recorded by the smart meter.
