The Sadar District Congress Committee staged a protest in Agartala against frequent power failures, smart meter implementation, and rising electricity tariffs. Congress leaders demanded improved power supply, withdrawal of tariff hikes, transparency in Tripura State Electricity Corporation operations, and an impartial investigation into alleged corruption and financial irregularities.
The Sadar District Congress Committee on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration outside the office of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation in Agartala, raising concerns over frequent power failures, the implementation of smart meters, and increasing electricity tariffs across the state.
A large number of Congress workers and supporters gathered outside the corporation office, accusing the state government of failing to ensure reliable electricity services while imposing additional financial burdens on consumers. The protesters alleged that the introduction of smart meters has adversely affected ordinary households, with many consumers facing higher electricity expenses despite continued disruptions in power supply.
Addressing the gathering, Congress spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty strongly criticized the government’s handling of the power sector. He claimed that residents across Tripura have been experiencing prolonged power cuts and inadequate service quality, leading to widespread public dissatisfaction.
According to Chakraborty, the government has failed to protect the interests of electricity consumers. He pointed to several reported incidents of extended outages and alleged that even healthcare institutions have been affected. Referring to reports from different parts of the state, he claimed that some hospitals were forced to carry out emergency medical procedures under candlelight due to power disruptions.
The Congress leader also targeted the state government’s tariff policy, alleging that a seven percent increase in electricity tariffs was implemented quietly during last year’s flood situation. He argued that the tariff hike has added pressure on households already struggling with rising living costs.
During the protest, party leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased electricity tariffs and called for uninterrupted and improved power supply throughout the state. They also sought greater transparency in the functioning of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation and urged authorities to address consumer grievances effectively.
The demonstration further highlighted allegations of corruption within the power sector. Chakraborty alleged that private contractors entrusted with electricity billing operations had siphoned off crores of rupees, causing financial losses. He demanded an impartial and independent investigation into the allegations and urged the government to make the findings public.
Linking the electricity issue to broader economic concerns, Chakraborty claimed that Tripura’s public debt has more than doubled since 2018. He argued that financial mismanagement and administrative failures have contributed to the present challenges faced by the state’s power infrastructure.
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The Congress spokesperson also referred to observations made in audit reports regarding alleged irregularities in different welfare departments. He claimed that such findings reflected systemic governance issues and questioned the government’s claims of administrative efficiency.
Apart from state-level concerns, Congress leaders used the platform to criticize several policies of the central government, including privatization initiatives, fuel price increases, and the rising national debt. They argued that ordinary citizens are increasingly bearing the economic burden of these policies while corporate entities continue to benefit.
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The protest concluded with Congress leaders reiterating their demand for affordable electricity, improved service quality, accountability within the power department, and a transparent inquiry into all corruption-related allegations. Party leaders warned that if the concerns of consumers remain unaddressed, similar demonstrations could be organized across different parts of Tripura in the coming weeks.
