Massive bill default hits Tripura’s power utility. Minister Ratan Lal Nath highlights rooftop solar as a solution, earning refunds himself.
Tripura’s Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Sunday sounded the alarm over the growing trend of electricity bill payment defaults in the state, even as he shared a personal success story with solar energy that could offer a sustainable path forward.
Speaking to the media at the Civil Secretariat, Nath revealed a concerning figure: only 41 percent of the state’s 9.87 lakh power consumers regularly pay their electricity bills. “Out of 9.87 lakh consumers, only 4.32 lakh are paying their bills on time,” he said. “This poor collection rate is severely affecting the financial health of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL).”
Nath cited specific areas like Tulasikhar, Hejamara, Mungiakami, and Jatanbari where the payment default rate is especially alarming—hovering around just 10 percent. “In these subdivisions, hardly anyone is paying their electricity dues. And when our officials go for ground inspections or enforcement drives, they face stiff resistance—sometimes even violent retaliation,” the minister lamented.
In stark contrast to this dismal scenario, Nath turned the spotlight to a more hopeful development: the success of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a central scheme encouraging rooftop solar power adoption through generous subsidies. The minister revealed that he himself is now among 70 consumers who no longer need to pay monthly power bills thanks to this initiative.
Under the scheme, residents can install rooftop solar panels and not only reduce their electricity expenses to zero but also earn refunds for surplus energy supplied back to the grid. “My last power bill before installing the solar plant was Rs 8,726. Now, after switching to solar, I received a refund of Rs 763 from TSECL,” Nath said. “They are purchasing power at Rs 2.65 per unit from us.”
According to the minister, a total of Rs 23,902 has already been refunded to these 70 solar-powered households. Overall, 266 consumers have installed rooftop solar systems so far, with data for another 60 pending entry on the national portal. Of these, 184 households have already received the central subsidy, and 95 families took out loans from various banks to finance their solar units. The total loan amount disbursed under this program currently stands at Rs 1.75 crore.
Encouraged by this response, the state has set a bold target: to bring 50,000 families under the solar scheme. “If we achieve this target, Tripura could generate up to 150 megawatts of clean, renewable energy,” Nath stated. “Already, around 14,000 families have registered their interest.”
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The minister emphasized that solar energy isn’t just a green alternative but also a financial solution for both the state utility and its consumers. “With timely bill payments remaining a challenge, wider adoption of solar power can alleviate pressure on TSECL and empower consumers to become self-sufficient in their energy needs,” he said.
Alongside promoting solar energy, the government is also taking structural steps to boost power infrastructure in the state. Nath announced plans to establish a new State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) at Kumarghat, which will manage the coordination and monitoring of power supply.
Modernization efforts are also underway for existing gas-based thermal power plants. However, Nath cautioned that gas scarcity continues to hinder electricity production. “We are adopting innovative technologies to maximize the generation capacity of existing plants despite limited gas availability,” he said.
Sunday’s briefing offered a snapshot of the state’s contrasting energy realities: a growing segment of empowered, solar-equipped citizens on one hand, and a financially stressed power utility struggling with widespread default on the other.
As Tripura walks the tightrope between energy reform and fiscal sustainability, Nath’s message was clear—solar power may offer the light at the end of the tunnel, but it cannot replace responsible consumer behavior. “If people continue to consume power without paying for it, no scheme—no matter how innovative—can save the system,” he warned.
