AAP Launches Attack On BJP Over Power Crisis, Rising Electricity Bills and Forced Smart Meters“BJP Should First Ensure Continuous Power Supply Before Installing Smart Meters” – Valmiki Naik“There Is No Shortage of Power, Only a Shortage of Political Will”

Panaji:The Aam Aadmi Party today launched a strong offensive against the BJP government over Goa’s worsening power situation, accusing the government of failing to provide reliable electricity while burdening consumers with higher tariffs, arbitrary penalties and forced installation of smart meters.Addressing a press conference, AAP Goa State President Valmiki Naik, Vice President Roque Mascarenhas, Youth President Pujan Malvankar, Youth Leader Shyam Kolamkar, and volunteer Durva Pednekar highlighted the growing frustration among consumers across the state.AAP Goa State President Valmiki Naik said the BJP government has completely failed in managing Goa’s power sector.“BJP should first focus on supplying uninterrupted electricity before talking about installing smart meters. Across Goa, people are facing frequent power cuts and unplanned outages. More than 25 major unplanned power outages have occurred across the state, which is a shame on the BJP government.”Valmiki further questioned the government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs.“The government has already approved annual tariff hikes of around 4% for the next four years. At a time when people are struggling with inflation, BJP is making electricity more expensive. Across Goa, consumers are receiving inflated bills because of discrepancies in sanctioned loads. On one hand they penalise consumers for load discrepancies, and on the other they charge consumers through FPPCA mechanisms. The common man is being squeezed from every direction.”He added,“After looting Goa’s natural resources, the BJP government is now looting the common man through inflated electricity bills and unfair penalties. Instead of solving people’s problems, they are creating new ways to extract money from consumers.”AAP Vice President Roque Mascarenhas said the crisis is not due to a shortage of power generation but due to decades of neglect.“There is no shortage of electricity. There is a shortage of political will. Goa’s transformers and power distribution infrastructure are decades old and urgently need upgrading. Instead of investing in better infrastructure and ensuring reliable supply, the government is focusing on publicity exercises.”He added that unless transmission and distribution infrastructure is modernised, consumers will continue to face power cuts and voltage fluctuations.“BJP talks about smart meters while the distribution network itself is outdated. The priority should be upgrading transformers and strengthening the power network so that people receive continuous and quality power supply.”AAP Youth President Pujan Malvankar said electricity is a basic necessity and not a luxury.Electricity is not a luxury; it is a necessity. BJP promised better power supply but has failed to deliver. Families, students, small businesses and senior citizens are all suffering because of irregular power supply and rising bills. Instead of helping consumers, the government is burdening them further.The party highlighted the success of AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab, where citizens receive subsidised or free electricity along with significantly better power supply and distribution efficiency.Valmiki Naik pointed out that Punjab has achieved distribution efficiency of over 90%, demonstrating that reliable and affordable electricity is possible when there is political will.AAP governments focus on improving infrastructure and helping consumers. BJP governments focus on increasing tariffs and imposing penalties. The difference is clear.The party warned that if the government fails to address these concerns, AAP will launch a statewide agitation to protect the interests of electricity consumers across Goa.“AAP will not allow the BJP government to turn electricity into another tool for burdening ordinary Goans. We will continue to fight for affordable, reliable and uninterrupted power supply for every household,” the party stated.