Agartala, 26th October 2026 : The closure of the electricity office on Monday, a day after Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, triggered resentment among consumers at Kumarghat, where residents questioned the functioning of the electricity department amid complaints of power disconnections, alleged irregular deductions and difficulties in recharging prepaid meters.
The situation has raised questions over the management of essential public services during holidays, with aggrieved consumers asking why electricity connections were being disconnected when the office remained closed and people had no convenient way to resolve their grievances.
Several consumers alleged that electricity was being disconnected even when sufficient balance was available in their prepaid meter accounts. They also claimed that money was deducted from their balances without ensuring uninterrupted power supply, leaving households struggling to understand the system.
The closure of the office added to their difficulties. Consumers said they had travelled to the office to recharge their meters but found the premises shut, resulting in additional transport expenses and wasted time. They questioned why no alternative arrangements, public announcements or convenient recharge facilities had been ensured during the holiday.
Angry residents also challenged the practice of sending personnel to disconnect electricity connections early in the morning, sometimes around 6 am or 7 am. They demanded that officials first verify meter readings, payment records and available balances before taking any action against consumers.
“People pay their hard-earned money, yet they are forced to suffer without electricity. Even when there is a balance, connections are being disconnected,” aggrieved consumers alleged, demanding accountability from the concerned officials and the Power Minister.
The controversy has also revived opposition to prepaid electricity meters. Several residents expressed a preference for the traditional black electricity meters, arguing that the earlier system was easier to manage and caused fewer difficulties for ordinary households. They urged the government to reconsider the prepaid arrangement and restore the previous system or introduce a more consumer-friendly payment mechanism.
Some protesters warned that prolonged power cuts could cause serious hardship, particularly for elderly people and vulnerable family members who depend on electricity for their daily needs.
The episode has prompted questions about consumer services, grievance redressal and the coordination of essential electricity operations during public holidays. Consumers demanded immediate recharge facilities, restoration of electricity and a clear explanation from the Kumarghat electricity authorities.
