Shocking Irregularities in Energy Meter Billing! Minister Orders Probe, Massive Corruption Unearthed, TSECL Issues Show-Cause to Private Billing Agency
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 16, 2025
Major irregularities have surfaced in Tripura’s Energy meter billing system, triggering serious concern at the highest level of the state power administration. Acting on the directives of Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) launched an immediate investigation which has revealed large-scale underbilling and potential corruption in several areas, particularly under the Khowai Electrical Sub-Division.
According to an official notice issued on July 15, 2025, TSECL has served a Show Cause Notice to TDS Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd., the private billing agency of Punjab entrusted with meter reading and billing operations. The notice reveals that meter readers, acting on behalf of the outside the state agency, have submitted average billing data for several consumers despite the presence of fully functional and recording meters.
The TSECL found through comparative billing analysis that this practice of average billing has caused consistent underbilling, resulting in direct financial loss to the corporation. Such conduct, TSECL claims, is a clear breach of contract and suggests either gross negligence or deliberate misconduct.
As per the contract, the agency was obligated to: record actual meter readings from functional meters without fail and avoid average billing unless justified by valid reasons (e.g., meter defect or inaccessibility).
The Show Cause Notice demands the agency to reply within seven days, explaining why action should not be taken against them. Failure to provide a satisfactory response will invite appropriate disciplinary action without further correspondence.
Sources indicate that several meter readers are also under scrutiny, and MD, TSECL, under the guidance of the Power Minister, is preparing to take strict action against those involved. Moreover, the corporation has reportedly been instructed to initiate recovery of the financial losses directly from the concerned private billing agency.
This development has once again raised questions about the functioning and oversight of third-party outside the state agencies in public utility services. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, known for his tough stand against corruption, has made it clear that no leniency will be shown, and strict accountability will be enforced at all levels.
Further actions are expected in the coming days as the internal inquiry continues.
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