Digital Goa, May 25 – A Congress delegation on Sunday met Electricity Department officials seeking clarity on the ongoing smart meter installations in Goa, alleging lack of accountability, irregularities in the tendering process and strong public opposition to the project. They handed over a memorandum to the officials in this regards. The party demanded that the smart meter project be scrapped, citing concerns raised by consumers over possible hikes in electricity bills, safety risks, data security, and fears of abrupt disconnections. Incidentally, several gram sabha resolutions have been passed across the state opposing the rollout. Reacting to the Congress protest, Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said smart meter implementation has been underway across the country for the past two-and-a-half years and accused the opposition of politicising the issue. Dhavalikar also noted that several Congress-ruled states are among those actively implementing smart meters, questioning the party’s opposition to the project in Goa.
