Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 6: The Goa government has ruled out allowing any private company to use the state's electricity distribution infrastructure, with Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar asserting that the move would be opposed "at all costs" as long as he remains in office.

The statement comes days after Tata Power Company Limited filed an application before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking a power distribution licence for the entire state under the Electricity Act, 2003.

At present, the Goa Electricity Department (GED) is the state's sole electricity distribution licensee. If Tata Power's application is approved, it would end the department's monopoly and introduce a parallel distribution system in Goa.

The company has also approached several village panchayats seeking no-objection certificates (NoCs), a requirement under JERC regulations. Some local bodies, including Curtorim, have reportedly declined to grant consent, citing a lack of clarity over the proposal.

Dhavalikar said the government would not support granting NoCs to any private company and urged panchayats and municipalities not to entertain Tata Power's requests.

"If some agency is trying to come and create confusion in Goa, it is not acceptable to us. The government will always oppose it. Till such time that I am on this chair, this will always be opposed," the minister said.

He said the state government had invested substantially in strengthening the power sector by establishing new substations, upgrading existing infrastructure and laying underground power cables.

The minister also criticised Tata Power for directly approaching local bodies instead of routing its proposal through the state government.

"They should have come to the government through proper channels. Approaching panchayats directly is wrong. Tata Power should stop this and first approach the government," he said.

Dhavalikar also rejected allegations made by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai that the company was pursuing the licence with the backing of the state government.

Meanwhile, Tata Power has clarified that it is not seeking to take over the Goa Electricity Department but intends to function as a parallel distribution licensee, allowing consumers to choose between electricity suppliers. The company already operates electricity distribution businesses in Delhi, Mumbai, Ajmer and Odisha.

According to JERC's interim order dated Jun. 4, Tata Power's application has been admitted, but the Commission identified deficiencies in compliance with Regulation 3.7 of the Transmission and Distribution Licensing Regulations, 2020.

The Commission has granted the company time until Aug. 4 to submit a compliance affidavit.

Officials of the Goa Electricity Department have also expressed surprise over Tata Power's outreach to panchayats, stating that the department has not received any formal notice from JERC regarding the application.

The outcome of the proceedings after Aug. 4 is expected to be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for electricity distribution, tariff structures and consumer choice in Goa.