Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath Defends Smart Meters, Attacks Opposition Over ‘Misinformation’ Campaign
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 15, 2025
In a detailed press briefing held yesterday at BJP State Headquarters in Agartala, Tripura Power Minister Shri Ratan Lal Nath addressed the media to clarify the state government’s position regarding the recent power tariff revision and the installation of smart meters across Tripura. The Minister strongly condemned opposition parties, particularly CPIM and Congress, accusing them of deliberately misleading the public and creating confusion for political gains.
"Smart Meters Are Technically Foolproof," Says Minister
Minister Nath categorically stated that the smart meters being installed by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) are tamper-proof and fully capable of delivering accurate and genuine readings.
> “There is no scope for tampering in these smart meters. They provide accurate readings and are technically superior. These meters will help improve the quality of power services and bring transparency,” the Minister said.
He added that smart meters empower consumers by allowing them to monitor their consumption in real-time and avoid human errors common in manual meter readings.
Refuting opposition claims of massive tariff hikes under the BJP government, Nath presented a comparative figure of tariff increases over the last 7 years.
> “During the last seven years of the Left Front rule, the power tariff was increased by over 116%. In comparison, during the seven years of BJP governance, the tariff has gone up by only 25% and that too due to rising fuel prices and energy purchase costs in the international market,” the Minister clarified.
He added that the government had no option but to adjust the tariff marginally in line with national pricing trends and procurement costs.
The press conference took a dramatic turn when some journalists questioned the accuracy of smart meter-generated bills. Allegations were raised that several consumers received abnormally high bills, and in some rare cases, bills were issued to households with no active power connection.
Clearly agitated, Minister Nath denied any such possibilities and asked the media to submit evidence.
> “These claims are baseless. If someone has received a bill without a connection, let them produce proof. We will take immediate action. But don’t generalize and create panic,” Nath said in a stern tone.
He assured that any genuine billing anomalies would be addressed on priority if brought to the department's notice.
Meanwhile, despite the Minister’s explanations, public anger and political protests continued to intensify across the state. Today, Trinamool Congress supporters staged a protest in front of the Power Minister’s official residence, demanding rollback of smart meter installations. A day earlier, CPIM activists demonstrated at the TSECL headquarters in Agartala, raising similar demands.
Meanwhile, CPIM and Congress supporters held protests across various parts of Tripura, including Udaipur, Kailashahar, Dharmanagar, and Khowai. Protesters alleged that the BJP government is cheating the public in the name of digital services and reforms.
Other than the opposition political parties, many consumer groups and civil society representatives are demanding a breakdown of charges being added to electricity bills. Some of the major concerns include:
Fuel Surcharge: Protesters questioned why there is a separate fuel surcharge if unit prices already account for production costs.
Sundry Charges: Allegedly used for stationery, refreshments, and office expenses, these charges have come under fire.
> “These costs — like paper, pens, and tea are internal business expenses. Why should consumers pay for it?” a protester asked.
Electricity Duty: Many demanded clarification about the basis and legality of duty charges being levied.
Unexplained Extra Charges: Consumers claim they were billed extra in recent months without clear justification.
Public queries are also rising regarding dues owed to TSECL by various categories:
How much is due from government offices?
What is the total outstanding amount from rural, urban, and ADC regions?
How much money is pending from electricity sold outside the state?
Transparency, they argue, would help understand where the revenue leakages are, and ensure that genuine consumers do not bear the burden of non-paying or illegal connections. It is alleged by the minister Ratan Nath Nath himself thst, many electricity consumers are not paying energy bills and there is a pending of more than 450 crores since long. In Tulasikhar Power Sub-Division, data shows that out of 10,374 consumers, nearly 9,000 are not regularly paying their bills. Law-abiding consumers have voiced concern over being penalized for losses caused by non-paying or illegal users.
> “We, the honest bill payers, are carrying the burden of others’ irresponsibility. This is unfair,” said a resident of the Lichubagan area of the city.
While the government continues to push for smart meters as a step toward modernization, the growing public discontent, combined with allegations of overcharging and lack of transparency, has created a political storm in the state. The Power Minister’s assurance to resolve any genuine grievances has yet to be tested on the ground.
As the debate over smart meters, tariff policies, and billing systems deepens, Tripura finds itself at the intersection of technological transition and public trust crisis.
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