Tripura authorities crack down as 60% of electricity consumers default on bills. TSECL begins power disconnections, imposes fines, and pushes rooftop solar adoption under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Authorities in Tripura have initiated stringent measures against electricity bill defaulters as an alarming 60 per cent of power consumers in the state fail to clear their dues. Out of 9.87 lakh registered electricity consumers, only 4.32 lakh are paying their bills on time, according to a senior official from the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL).
The official reported that the majority of defaulters reside in rural and interior regions. In response to the widespread non-payment, TSECL has begun disconnecting power lines and levying hefty fines on defaulting customers. “Thousands of electricity lines have already been disconnected over the past two years,” the official said.
However, TSECL staff often face resistance during disconnection drives. In some instances, engineers and ground workers have been assaulted or obstructed by locals when attempting to cut power supply to non-paying consumers.
To tackle the issue of rising defaults and power theft, the state government is also turning to technology. Power and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath stated that TSECL is considering deploying drones and other modern tools to detect illegal electricity usage, hook lines, and technical losses.
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In a move to encourage sustainable energy use and reduce dependence on conventional electricity, the state is actively promoting the installation of rooftop solar power plants under the Central Government’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme provides substantial subsidies for residents to install solar panels, which can eliminate electricity bills and even offer monetary returns for surplus power fed back into the grid.
Sharing his personal experience, Minister Nath said, “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.”
TSECL is currently purchasing solar-generated electricity at Rs 2.65 per unit. So far, over 300 households have installed rooftop solar systems, and thousands more have applied under the scheme. Authorities see this as a viable long-term solution to reduce load on the grid and promote consumer responsibility.
Minister Nath also emphasized the importance of timely bill payments, stating that a steady revenue flow is critical for uninterrupted power supply. “Tripura has been a power surplus state since 2011, even exporting electricity to neighboring northeastern states and Bangladesh,” he noted.
With mounting pressure from rising unpaid dues and theft-related losses, the state’s power sector is now at a crucial juncture. Officials hope that strict enforcement, combined with incentives for solar adoption, will restore financial stability to the power supply system and promote responsible energy usage across Tripura.
