The issue of smart meters and rising electricity bills triggered a strong Opposition protest in the Goa Legislative Assembly, with all seven Opposition MLAs entering the Well after expressing dissatisfaction with the response from Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.

GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai raised concerns over the government’s smart-meter rollout and the increasing burden of electricity bills on consumers. He demanded that consumers be given a choice between conventional digital meters and prepaid smart meters, while seeking clarity on measures to bring down domestic power bills.

Sardesai said electricity bills had become a burden on the common people, claiming that consumers who earlier paid around ₹600 a month were now receiving bills as high as ₹6,000. He also demanded a reduction in the load tariff and sought an assurance that consumers would not face further increases through additional charges or tariff mechanisms.

Dhavalikar said the installation of smart meters is mandatory under rules framed by the Union Ministry, and Goa would ultimately have to comply with the system. He said the rollout is currently on hold but would eventually have to proceed.

Responding to concerns over higher bills, Dhavalikar attributed increased electricity consumption in some cases to climatic conditions and greater use of air conditioners at night. He said the government was willing to demonstrate the difference between smart meters and conventional digital meters.

The minister maintained that Goa has not increased electricity tariffs beyond those approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) and claimed that the state's electricity rates remain lower compared to several other states.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant challenged the Opposition to identify any state with lower electricity tariffs than Goa, saying the government would consider adopting those rates if such a comparison could be established.

Dhavalikar also said ₹32 crore recovered from consumers has already been reimbursed and stressed that consumers could reduce their electricity bills by adopting solar power. Goa has so far generated 103 MW of solar energy, he said.

The Opposition, however, remained dissatisfied with the government's response and jointly entered the Well, demanding specific and categorical answers on smart meters, electricity tariffs and relief for consumers.