Smart meters in Goa have been put on hold following directions from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Electricity Department Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes said.

Fernandes clarified that the matter pending before the Goa Human Rights Commission is separate from the decision to keep smart meters on hold.

Meanwhile, Goa Congress president Amit Patkar, accompanied by party workers, visited Vidyut Bhavan and demanded that the government scrap the smart meter project.

Patkar warned that Congress would launch an agitation if the smart meters are not scrapped within 15 days.

The issue of smart meters has triggered opposition from Congress, which has been demanding their withdrawal. The party has now issued a deadline to the government, warning of protests if its demand is not met.