To tackle the growing misuse of domestic electricity connections for commercial purposes, Goa’s electricity department has announced a comprehensive verification drive. The initiative will begin following the implementation of the new power tariff structure.
"Each consumer’s connection type will be reassessed and categorised appropriately," the department stated in response to concerns raised by citizens during the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) public hearing held in May.
The department also confirmed it is coordinating with other agencies, including the tourism department, to identify commercial operations, such as rented villas and second homes, being wrongly billed under domestic categories. These will be reclassified under the correct low-tension commercial category.
Citizens at the hearing voiced strong objections to the widespread misuse of electricity tariffs, especially in properties operating commercially under residential slabs. They also called for the creation of a dedicated monitoring cell to identify and address such cases.
In a separate issue raised at the hearing, a consumer pointed out the department’s failure to disclose the proforma account and Demand, Collection, and Balance (DCB) statements despite a public assurance made on January 14, 2023. The department responded by stating that access to such records must be sought formally through an RTI application or departmental request.