Panaji: The electricity department must expedite the formation of the
district electricity committees
as they are essential for addressing key issues such as the extension of electrification, quality of power supply, consumer satisfaction, and energy efficiency, said the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (
GCCI
).
Even though the Indian Electricity Act mandates the formation of district electricity committees, Goa’s law department stalled the proposal, said GCCI. The Union ministry of power issued an order in 2021 for the setting up of district-level committees that shall exercise oversight over all power-related schemes of the Centre.
“Despite follow-ups, the proposal remains under review with the law department,” said GCCI director Kiran Ballikar. Each district electricity committee, which is headed by the MP, has to meet at least once in three months to review and coordinate the overall development of power supply infrastructure in the district.
GCCI president Shrinivas Dempo formally requested Goa’s power minister to accelerate the process of formation of the district electricity committees. Setting up the committees, one for North Goa and one for South Goa, will significantly benefit power consumers across the state, said Ballikar.
Goa’s electricity tariff and erratic power supply have always been a point of contention for domestic consumers and Goa’s industry. GCCI plans to create awareness about the state’s tariff structure as well as the draft retail supply tariff structure guidelines issued by the
Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission
(JERC).
Ballikar said that understanding the complexities of the power tariff structure and its long-term implications is crucial, as electricity tariffs are revised annually based on JERC regulations and the electricity department’s five-year business plan. JERC invited public suggestions for the draft guidelines until Nov 20.
English (US) ·