Panaji: Amid protests from MLAs across parties, along with public anger over electricity bills linked to the installation of new smart meters, chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday put the rollout of new smart meters in the state on hold.The CM told the electricity department to check the bills, and until that is complete, there will be no disconnections. He said that consumers will have to pay only actual bills and not penalties and interest.For the last eight days, the state has seen ongoing agitations over high electricity bills following the installation of new smart meters.“I have taken a review of the smart meter bills, and we have come across certain things including some old meters that have been replaced and some meters were not working. After installing new smart meters those who used to get Rs 1,000 electricity bill have started getting Rs 5,000 bills,” Sawant said, further, “It has also come to light that when the electricity connection was approved, the sanctioned load was different and now the actual usage has crossed the approved load.”“In these circumstances, consumers started getting high bills as they were using electricity beyond sanctioned loads. As a solution on these issues, I have given directions to the electricity department to put on hold the installation of smart meters,” the CM said.Sawant said he has ordered checks of all newly-installed meters where problems have emerged.“First the department has to verify the excess usage over and above sanctioned load. It will take time to check all the meters and verify the usage. I have asked the department to check the bills again. Some people have been penalised as they used more than the sanctioned load. Some have been charged with interest,” he said.“Actual bill will be issued. I have asked the department to verify the bills until then there will be no change in the system,” Sawant said. “I urged all the consumer to apply for new meters in case the old meter is not working. Check their existing load and in case required, apply for additional load.”The CM said consumers should first confirm their bills and then make payment. “There will be no electricity disconnection as of now. Govt will check the load and inform the consumer the sanctioned load and the actual load, if the load is 100 units and he is using 200 unit then he should apply for additional load and in case he does not do then penalty will be imposed.”Sawant said that if any consumer has already paid a penalty, they should submit an application, and after the bill is examined, the required action would be taken.
