Goa, July 24 -- Power Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar informed the Goa State Assembly that arrears owed to the Electricity Department by consumers across various categories - including agriculture, commercial, domestic, industrial, and public services - have surged to Rs 572.24 crore in the financial year 2024-25.

The minister also disclosed that the department is currently involved in legal proceedings with four major consumers who collectively owe Rs 227.23 crore. He was responding to a question raised by MLAs Altone D'Costa, Yuri Alemao and Carlos Ferreira.

To deal with defaulters, the department issues a 15-day payment notice, failing which the electricity connection is temporarily disconnected. Dhavalikar added that for consumers ci...