Smart meters
Goa is reportedly implementing a smart metering project to replace existing electricity meters with smart meters for over 7.4 lakh consumers. The project is expected to be implemented in a phased manner over two and a half years starting in 2025-26. In the first phase, the project will be implemented only for commercial establishments and later extended to domestic consumers. The smart meters will use GPRS technology for communication and have several advantages. They will provide real-time data for accurate billing. They will help curb electricity theft and leakages. Consumers will be able to view their energy consumption patterns and make decisions about their electricity usage. By being connected through a web-based monitoring system, prepaid smart meters enable consumers to optimise their electricity consumption. The system will provide for prepaid service. The existing manual system to collect revenue for power usage seems inefficient. Prepaid smart meters send alerts of low balance in the account so that users can recharge well in advance and avoid any last-minute hassles. Electricity costs more during peak hours, potentially leading to higher bills for those who use energy heavily during those periods. However, some individuals may have concerns about smart meters collecting and sharing personal energy consumption data. In Goa, the common man, especially the pensioners, may not be in a position to make pre-payments for electricity and hence will have to live without electricity till the smart meter is recharged. There is no option of part payment. More importantly, what happens to the unpaid electricity bills, which run into crores of rupees once the switchover to smart meters takes place?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Irregular bus service
Bus operators on the Mapusa to Calangute via Arpora market route are not adhering to the scheduled timings from 8 pm onwards and it is inconveniencing many commuters. An old vendor from Arpora, who sells vegetables in the Mapusa market, has brought this to the notice of the Mapusa Regional Transport Office. According to her, the bus operators plying on the route proceed from Mapusa to Calangute via Nagoa, bypassing the Arpora market road after 8 pm. Commuters from Arpora travelling in these buses are compelled to walk to their destinations for almost two kilometres in the night from Nagoa. This practice by the bus operators has been going on despite an oral complaint being lodged with the Mapusa RTO. According to the vegetable vendor, she was assured by an RTO official that the problem would be solved. After her oral complaint, the bus operators followed their scheduled route for four days only after which they shifted back to bypassing Arpora market while proceeding to Calangute from Mapusa after 8 pm. Many daily commuters travelling in these buses have now decided to submit a written complaint to the transport office. They want action to be taken against the bus operators or else a KTC bus service started on the route.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Safeguarding Goan identity
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s decision to mandate Konkani proficiency for postmen recruitment in Goa is a timely and necessary move to uphold our state’s linguistic and cultural heritage. This policy ensures that Goans can access these roles and aligns our postal services more closely with the communities they serve. However, the challenges run deeper. The prominence of Marathi as a commonly used language has unintentionally reduced local participation in these positions. Meanwhile, the increasing influence of the Maharashtrian lobby is unmistakable. Employees from the Maharashtra cadre are replacing locals, creating disconnect, as many of these recruits struggle with Goan names, places and the community’s unique nuances. This is not just a logistical issue but a profound cultural concern. Additionally, cross-immigration from Karnataka and Maharashtra exacerbates the situation, risking an erosion of our identity and unfair competition due to the language dynamics. These complications underscore an urgent need to prioritise Konkani and protect opportunities for Goans.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Toll charges
Highway toll charges are likely to be increased from April. As for the toll charges, a huge amount is being collected ostensibly to pay for the road or improvements on it, but even after recovery of the full cost, the toll charges continue to be levied since the collection process is on auto-pilot mode. Road users take it as a given charge and do not bother to waste their time contesting it. In fact, the process of payment of toll charges interrupts, introduces congestion and holds up travel and should be withdrawn once the cost of the road is recovered. Some years ago, locals staying near River Kali bridge in Karwar, Karnataka had found that the toll booths were a nuisance to people living in the nearby villages and the toll charges continued to be charged even after the cost of the bridge had been recovered. A public agitation was launched and the toll booths were closed.
Srinivas Kamat, Mysuru
