Goa Khabar : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa has strongly opposed the BJP Government’s decision to impose a 20% power surcharge and installation of 6 to 7 lakh smart meters across Goa, calling both moves nothing but new ways to loot Goans in the name of reform. AAP delegation of leaders including state president Adv. Amit Palekar, Organisation Secretary Shrikrishna Parab, National Spokesperson and Working President Valmiki Naik, Vice President Sunil Signapurkar, and Miniority wing leader Sarfaraz ankalgi.
AAP State President Adv. Amit Palekar said the BJP government is burdening the middle class while wasting crores on ministerial luxuries.
“The government has money for ministers’ comforts but none to reduce power losses. Instead of fixing faulty infrastructure and street lights, they are pushing schemes to loot Goans through slabs, surcharges, and smart meters,” said Palekar.
He added, “In Punjab, our AAP government gives 300 units of free electricity every month. If the BJP cannot give free power, at least don’t loot Goans. The only wastage happening in Goa is the money being spent on ministers’ salaries, vehicles, and privileges while citizens suffer.”
AAP National Spokesperson Valmiki Naik questioned the government’s urgency and motives behind the new billing and meter schemes.
“From smart meters to surcharges, every new scheme is just another way to rob Goans. The Power Minister seems too eager to push this project worth crores — we want to ask, is there a ‘setting’ already done? Instead of addressing power losses, BJP wants to make people pay for its own inefficiency. Their model is simple — reward industrialists and loot the common man,” said Naik.
AAP Organisation Secretary Shrikrishna Parab explained how the surcharge will burden every household.
“Every family uses power between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. If a surcharge is applied during this time, bills will shoot up. A ₹1,000 bill today will become ₹1,500 or more once taxes and surcharges are added. This is open loot in the name of reform,” said Parab.
AAP Vice President Sunil Signapurkar hit out at the BJP government’s priorities.
“This government cannot even provide 24-hour electricity, yet it wants to install smart meters and impose new charges. Before talking about reforms, first ensure uninterrupted power supply to every Goan,” said Signapurkar.
The Aam Aadmi Party demanded that installation of smart meters, the new tariffs should be immediately rolled back and warned that if the government goes ahead with these anti-people schemes without public consultation, AAP will launch a state-wide agitation to protect Goans from unfair electricity charges and exploitation.
