Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Aug 5: In a move that will impact electricity consumers across Goa, the state government has announced a 5.75% hike in power tariff for the financial year 2025-26, along with a new monthly charge of Rs 117.50 per prepaid smart meter.

Power Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday that the new charge will be added to the power tariff and recovered over a period of 93 months. The hike is part of the government’s implementation of prepaid smart meters under the Central Government’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

He was replying to a joint Calling Attention moved by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and MLAs Vijai Sardesai, Carlos Ferreira, Cruz Silva, Venzy Viegas, and Viresh Borkar.

Dhavalikar said the tariff revision is a statutory annual process mandated by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), and pointed out that Goa still enjoys one of the lowest electricity tariffs in the country.

“For 2025-26, we have proposed an overall 5.75% increase. However, nearly 70% of domestic consumers — those under the two lowest slabs — will see only a minimal 3% rise,” he stated.

He explained that the smart meter cost will be staggered over the vendor's 93-month operation and maintenance period. A total of 7.5 lakh smart meters will be installed, with the government paying Rs 117.50 per meter each month, amounting to Rs 9.57 crore monthly.

“The impact on consumers will be minimal. Smart meters will provide real-time billing, help detect abnormal consumption, reduce power purchase cost through better demand forecasting, and eliminate billing shocks,” the minister said.

He also highlighted that the electricity department has been under JERC’s regulatory regime since 2011-12, with previous tariff hikes ranging from 1.58% to 14%. The current hike, he assured, is marginal and aimed at improving service delivery and infrastructure.