The Congress party launched statewide protests in Tripura against the BJP-led government’s move to install smart electric meters and hike power tariffs. Demonstrations were held in front of TSECL offices across all districts. Party leaders condemned the government’s decision, calling it anti-people and demanding an immediate rollback.
Amid growing public dissent, the opposition Congress party on Monday staged massive demonstrations across Tripura, protesting the installation of smart electric meters and the recent hike in electricity tariffs imposed by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). The party’s agitation, which follows a similar protest by the CPI(M) earlier this month, marks a significant escalation in the political backlash against the state government’s power policies.
Congress workers and supporters held protest rallies and sit-in demonstrations in front of TSECL offices in all eight districts of the state. In Agartala, a large gathering was seen in front of the TSECL headquarters, where senior Congress leaders addressed the crowd, warning the government of continued agitation unless the decisions were revoked immediately.
Speaking to the media, Congress leader Tanmoy Roy accused the BJP-led state government and TSECL of installing smart meters without public consultation or adequate notice. “The government is trying to impose its will on the people without following any legal or democratic procedure. Smart meters are being installed in consumers’ homes secretly and without their consent,” Roy said.
He further alleged that the BJP was playing a “double standard game” by opposing the installation of smart meters in West Bengal while silently implementing them in Tripura. “What BJP condemns in Bengal, it enforces here. This hypocrisy will not go unnoticed,” Roy added.
Highlighting the financial burden placed on the public, Roy pointed out that the recent hike in electricity tariffs — including increased sundry charges, duty fees, and fuel costs — was carried out discreetly, adding to the people’s hardships. “Instead of providing relief to the people, the government is placing extra financial stress on them, especially at a time when inflation is already high,” he said.
At the Agartala protest site, senior Congress leaders Prabir Chakraborty and Neel Kamal Saha echoed similar sentiments. They demanded that the government halt the installation of smart meters and roll back the new electricity rates. “Our movement will only intensify if the government remains adamant,” Chakraborty said.
The Congress protests come just days after the CPI(M) held similar demonstrations across the state on July 11, highlighting the growing bipartisan opposition to the smart meter rollout. Political analysts believe the mounting protests could snowball into a broader anti-government campaign in the coming months.
Meanwhile, TSECL officials maintain that the smart meter project is part of a national modernization drive under the Union Government’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Basu stated that six lakh smart meters are planned to be installed across Tripura by March 2027.
“Smart meters are a leap toward efficient energy management,” Basu said. “They come with advanced communication technology that allows for automated, remote readings, real-time usage tracking, and mobile app integration for both prepaid and postpaid billing systems.”
According to Basu, around 88,750 smart meters have already been installed, and the project is progressing with financial support from the Asian Development Bank. The entire initiative is estimated to cost Rs 603 crore.
Defending the initiative, TSECL officials argue that smart meters would help reduce billing discrepancies, improve transparency, and empower consumers to monitor their usage better. Additionally, the new system is expected to reduce operational losses and ensure quicker response to technical faults.
However, opposition leaders remain unconvinced. They argue that while smart meters may offer technical benefits, the manner of implementation and lack of public dialogue has alienated common people. “This is not modernization — this is dictatorship. People should have been consulted and educated before such a major shift,” said Congress activist Nibedita Dey at the protest in Dharmanagar.
| Also Read: TSECL MD: Smart meters a scientific leap for Tripura’s power sector |
As the Congress continues its statewide agitation, the issue has taken center stage in Tripura’s political discourse. With CPI(M) also mobilizing support on the same issue, the coming weeks are expected to witness intensified pressure on the ruling BJP government to address the growing discontent.
