Goa: Commercial power consumers to take own meter readings

Panaji: During the lockdown, commercial power consumers in the state will be able to record their own meter readings and send it to the electricity department via WhatsApp. The option will also be extended to those whose houses are closed.

“The WhatsApp option is only for those whose houses are closed and for industries. (Elsewhere) meter readers will continue to take meter readings,” an official told TOI.

The electricity department is in the process of making available the WhatsApp or SMS number, the official said.


“It (the number) will be publicised as soon as it is finalised,” the official told TOI.

The move comes following directives from the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) asking the department to have direct meter reading wherever possible by provisional billing or encouraging consumers to take their own meter readings during the lockdown.

The commission also asked the department to encourage all types of digital payments without demanding bank transaction charges from consumers.

The JERC also provided relief to consumers by asking the electricity department to extend the due date for payment of electricity bills by two weeks where due dates fall between March 24 and June 30, without late payment charges.

However, no extension will be granted for due dates beyond June 30.

For those making payments after the permitted two weeks, late payment charges have been reduced from two percent to one percent.

“This relaxation is purely of temporary nature for the period starting from March 24 to June 30,” JERC stated.

Providing further relief, the commission has also introduced a moratorium on payment of fixed charges to all industrial and commercial consumers for bills raised between March 24 and June 30.

“These deferred charges shall be recovered in an equated manner over next three bills to be raised after June 30,” the JERC order stated.

The electricity department began sending out meter readers only last week. The department had appealed to the public to cooperate with meter readers and provide them with unhindered access to their premises to record meter readings. The meter readers in turn have been instructed to take all necessary health precautions while visiting houses.