Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission held its 29th State Advisory Committee meeting in Agartala to discuss the Multi Year Tariff petition, electricity tariff proposals, and draft regulations aimed at strengthening transparency, stakeholder participation, and governance in the state power sector.
The Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission convened the 29th meeting of its State Advisory Committee (SAC) on March 11 at the Commission’s conference hall in Agartala, where key issues concerning electricity tariffs, regulatory reforms, and governance of the power sector in Tripura were discussed.
The meeting was chaired by Hemant Verma in his capacity as the Ex-Officio Chairperson of the State Advisory Committee constituted under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003. Senior officials, sector experts, and stakeholder representatives attended the session to deliberate on several agenda items aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring consumer-centric electricity governance.
One of the central issues placed before the Committee was the Multi Year Tariff (MYT) petition submitted by the state power utility, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited. The petition covers the control period from the financial year 2025–26 to 2026–27 and includes the truing-up of financial and operational data for the financial year 2024–25.
The Multi Year Tariff framework is a key regulatory mechanism used by electricity regulators to determine tariffs for a fixed control period. At the same time, the truing-up process allows the Commission to review the actual performance of the utility in terms of revenue, expenditure, and operational efficiency, ensuring that tariff decisions are based on accurate and transparent financial assessments.
During the meeting, members of the State Advisory Committee examined the tariff proposal in detail and discussed its potential implications for consumers, industries, and the overall electricity sector in the state. Participants shared their perspectives on issues related to tariff rationalization, service quality, power supply reliability, and the protection of consumer interests.
Officials of the Commission emphasized that stakeholder consultation is a vital component of the regulatory process. The advisory committee meeting provided an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to contribute their views before the Commission takes a final decision on electricity tariffs.
The Commission also informed the members that, as part of the statutory tariff determination procedure, a public hearing will be conducted on March 18, 2026, at the TERC office in Agartala. Consumers, industry representatives, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to present their suggestions and objections regarding the tariff petition before the Commission finalizes the tariff order.
Apart from tariff-related discussions, the meeting also reviewed two important draft regulations proposed by the Commission to strengthen institutional functioning and administrative efficiency.
The first proposal concerned the Draft Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions of Consultants) Regulations, 2005 (First Amendment), 2026. The amendment aims to streamline the process for engaging consultants and domain experts who assist the Commission in specialized areas such as technical evaluation, financial analysis, regulatory studies, and policy formulation.
The Committee also deliberated on the Draft Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Officers and Employees) Regulations, 2026. These regulations are intended to establish a modern and transparent framework governing recruitment procedures, service conditions, and administrative management of the Commission’s officers and employees.
Members of the advisory committee highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional capacity within regulatory bodies to effectively manage the rapidly evolving electricity sector. They noted that clear recruitment rules and access to expert consultants would help the Commission handle complex technical and financial matters more efficiently.
The State Advisory Committee itself serves as a consultative platform that brings together representatives from multiple sectors. It includes members from the Government of Tripura, regulatory bodies, industry associations, agricultural groups, consumer organizations, media representatives, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.
A total of 18 members, including ex-officio members and stakeholder representatives, participated in the meeting and actively engaged in discussions on the agenda items. Their suggestions and feedback are expected to assist the Commission in making informed regulatory decisions that balance consumer protection with the financial sustainability of the power sector.
Concluding the meeting, Puspita Chakraborty delivered the vote of thanks and acknowledged the valuable contributions made by the members during the deliberations.
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The meeting ended with a strong emphasis on transparency, stakeholder participation, and consumer-oriented regulation. Officials noted that such consultative exercises play an essential role in ensuring that the electricity sector in Tripura develops in a balanced, efficient, and accountable manner while meeting the growing energy needs of the state’s population and economy.
