Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath assured clearance of nearly Rs 30 crore in pending TECL contractors’ dues by August 15, ending a prolonged payment dispute. The assurance is expected to resume stalled electricity projects and strengthen Tripura’s power infrastructure across the state.
A prolonged dispute over unpaid electricity bills in Tripura is finally heading toward a resolution after Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath assured that nearly Rs 30 crore in pending dues owed to contractors of the Tripura Electricity Corporation Limited (TECL) will be cleared by August 15. The announcement has brought significant relief to contractors who had been struggling with severe financial hardship due to delayed payments.
The assurance came during a crucial meeting held on Saturday between the Power Minister and a five-member delegation of the TECL Contractors’ Association. The delegation had sought immediate intervention after contractors suspended all development and maintenance works across the state in protest against the prolonged non-payment of bills.
According to members of the association, the minister acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and assured them that the outstanding dues would be released within the promised timeframe. He also directed the Managing Director of TECL to initiate immediate steps to ensure that the payment process is completed without further delay.
Speaking after the meeting, Sapan Das, Joint Secretary of the TECL Contractors’ Association, expressed satisfaction over the minister’s assurance. He said the association believes the government is committed to resolving the issue and hopes that the promised payment will restore confidence among contractors.
The dispute had escalated only days earlier when contractors announced an indefinite suspension of electricity development and maintenance projects throughout Tripura. The work stoppage affected several ongoing infrastructure projects and raised concerns over delays in improving the state’s power distribution network.
Following an appeal from Minister Ratan Lal Nath for constructive dialogue, the contractors agreed to withdraw their protest and participate in discussions. Saturday’s meeting proved to be a major breakthrough, with both sides reaching a consensus on clearing the pending dues and restoring normal operations.
Members of the Contractors’ Association stated that the release of nearly Rs 30 crore would provide much-needed financial stability to contractors, many of whom had been facing liquidity issues, delayed salaries for workers, and difficulties in procuring construction materials. They emphasized that timely payment is essential for maintaining uninterrupted development and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
The association further noted that once the dues are cleared by August 15, stalled projects across the state will resume at full pace. Contractors also reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with TECL and the state government to strengthen Tripura’s power infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity services for consumers.
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The resolution of the payment dispute is being viewed as a positive step for the power sector in Tripura. Industry observers believe that restoring trust between the government and contractors will help accelerate infrastructure development, improve maintenance efficiency, and ensure the timely completion of ongoing electricity projects. With the minister’s assurance now in place, stakeholders remain hopeful that the long-pending issue will finally be resolved, paving the way for smoother execution of future power development initiatives across the state.
