Agartala: With nearly 60% of electricity consumers in Tripura failing to pay their bills, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has launched a state-wide crackdown, including disconnection of power lines and imposition of penalties to curb the mounting default rate.
According to a senior TSECL official, only 4.32 lakh out of 9.87 lakh registered consumers in the state are paying their electricity dues regularly.
The majority of defaulters are reportedly located in rural and remote areas.
“Over the past two years, we have disconnected thousands of connections belonging to chronic defaulters,” the official said, adding that hefty fines have also been imposed on those who consistently ignore payment notices.
Officials highlighted that enforcement teams often face resistance during field operations.
“There have been incidents where TSECL engineers and workers were assaulted or obstructed while trying to disconnect lines of defaulting consumers,” the source added.
In response to the crisis, the state government is also ramping up efforts to promote rooftop solar energy as a sustainable solution.
Power and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the state is actively implementing the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a central government scheme offering subsidies to households for installing rooftop solar systems.
The scheme not only eliminates electricity bills for consumers but also enables them to earn refunds for supplying excess solar power back to the grid.
“My last power bill was Rs 8,726. After switching to solar, I received a refund of Rs 763,” Nath shared as a personal example of the scheme’s benefits.
So far, over 300 homes have installed solar panels, and thousands of others have registered under the scheme, he said.
The government purchases solar power from these households at Rs 2.65 per unit, encouraging clean energy adoption.
ALSO READ: Indian astronaut Shukla set for June 10 launch on Axiom-4, to dock at ISS after 28 hours
In a further effort to strengthen monitoring, the TSECL is also exploring the use of drones and advanced technology to detect power theft, illegal hook lines, and technical losses across the state.
Tripura has remained a power-surplus state since 2011, supplying electricity not only within the state but also to other northeastern states and even to neighbouring Bangladesh, thanks to its network of gas-based power plants.
The minister has appealed to the public to pay their bills on time, discouraging theft and wastage to help maintain consistent and reliable power supply across the state.
