GHRC wants report on smart power meter rollout

Panaji: The Goa Human Rights Commission on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a news report on govt’s mandatory smart electricity meter rollout and sought a report from the chief electrical engineer of the electricity department.

The commission said the report prima facie raised concerns of human rights violations and directed the chief electrical engineer to submit a reply by June 2.

The electricity department and power minister recently said replacing existing digital meters with smart meters is mandatory for all consumers.

Last week, the department issued a public notice urging consumers to cooperate with the installation process.

The department said the upgraded meters would enable access to real-time billing data and promote efficient energy use.

Several consumers have written to the department opposing the replacement of functional meters, while others have submitted representations over the installation of smart meters.

Power minister Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar, in a written reply in the legislative assembly, said the project cost exceeds Rs 890 crore, with Rs 820 crore to be borne by state govt and Rs 70 crore by central govt through gross budgetary support.