Electricity consumers protest against Govt policies in Tripura 

In a demonstration of discontent, the Tripura Electricity Consumers Association (TECA) staged a protest in front of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) office, accusing the BJP-led central government of prioritizing profits over the welfare of citizens.
The protest, spearheaded by TECA and backed by the All India Electricity Consumers Association (AIECA), delivered a four-point demand to Union Power Minister R K Singh via TSECL’s Managing Director in Agartala. The demands include the repeal of the controversial Electricity Bill- 2022, halting privatization efforts in the power sector, discontinuing the installation of Prepaid Smart Meters, and revoking the mandatory directive to power companies to import coal for blending with domestic reserves.
TECA’s Sanjay Choudhury, expressed concerns about the adverse effects of Prepaid Smart Meters, particularly on economically weaker sections, stating that it marks a significant stride toward privatizing the power sector. Choudhury further highlighted the alleged exploitation by private power producers, citing instances where companies like Adani Power inflated the prices of imported coal, despite sufficient reserves in Coal India.
Speaking to reporters, Choudhury emphasized, “We are observing a nationwide protest today to oppose the Electricity Bill-2022 and various other anti-people decisions of the central government that jeopardize the interests of common consumers for the prosperity of monopolists.”
The protestors urged the government to promptly address their demands, asserting that failure to do so would impose an additional burden on common consumers, leading to an increase in electricity tariffs. The nationwide protest aimed to draw attention to what protesters perceive as detrimental decisions affecting the common people’s welfare, calling for immediate compliance from the concerned departments of the Indian government.