TSECL Contractors Launch Indefinite Strike Over Alleged Non-Payment of Bills, Threaten Statewide Work Stoppage

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 17, 2026

The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Contractors' Association has announced an indefinite strike beginning Friday, alleging prolonged delays in the payment of pending bills and accusing senior officials of discriminatory practices in clearing contractors' dues. The association warned that the agitation could severely affect electricity-related maintenance and infrastructure services across the state.

Addressing the media in Agartala, leaders of the Contractors' Association said that years of unpaid bills have pushed many contractors into severe financial distress, making it increasingly difficult for them to pay workers, sustain operations, or continue executing public utility projects. They claimed that bills submitted before the Durga Puja festival last year remain unpaid, forcing several contractors to struggle for survival.

The association alleged that despite repeated representations to the Managing Director of TSECL, the Power Minister, the Chief Minister and the Power Secretary, no effective steps have been taken to resolve the issue. Contractors further claimed that while certain contractors receive prompt payments, others continue to face unexplained delays, alleging favouritism in the clearance of bills.

General Secretary Swapan Das stated that contractors have repeatedly highlighted their grievances but received no satisfactory response from the authorities. He claimed that payment files of individuals close to senior officials are processed quickly, whereas many genuine contractors remain unpaid for long periods.

According to the association, individual contractors are reportedly owed between Rs. 40 lakh and Rs. 50 lakh by TSECL. They said that payment delays ranging from one-and-a-half to two years have left many contractors unable to meet financial obligations, including workers' wages and operational expenses.

The association recalled that an earlier strike had been withdrawn after assurances were reportedly given by TSECL management to resolve the issue. However, they alleged that no meaningful action followed those assurances, prompting them to resume their protest.

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