By TC News Desk
Agartala, 21st September 2024: A protest broke out in Kalsi Bazar under the Jolaibari electricity sub-division on Friday, as tensions over unpaid electricity bills escalated. A group of agitated individuals detained workers at the local call center, locking them inside following a disruption in power caused by a faulty distribution transformer. The incident highlights the growing unrest over electricity services in the region, amid widespread non-payment of bills.
Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), the state-run electricity provider has expressed deep concern over the situation. In a statement, the corporation emphasized its commitment to providing uninterrupted power to the state. “We are fully dedicated to ensuring that power services remain constant. However, there are instances where outages may occur due to factors beyond our control, such as overloads, natural calamities, or technical disturbances,” said an official from TRVNL.
Despite these challenges, the corporation has made efforts to improve customer service and communication. “We have introduced multiple channels for consumers to report issues, including the 1912 helpline, our official website, the Vidyutbandhu App, WhatsApp, and IVRS. We urge our consumers to use these platforms and cooperate with our employees to resolve any issues,” the official added.
However, the corporation has recently observed with “great sadness” that a significant number of consumers are not paying their electricity bills on time, particularly in areas like Jolaibari. According to TSECL’s latest revenue report, Jolaibari electricity sub-division ranks the lowest in bill payments across the state, with only 25% of consumers clearing their dues in August. Out of 12,896 registered consumers, only 3,115 paid their bills last month, leaving over 9,500 people in arrears.
In previous months, the trend was similar. In July, just 4,453 out of 12,887 consumers paid their bills, while June saw 4,616 of 12,876 pay. The corporation is grappling with the alarming fact that 75% of consumers in this sub-division have consistently failed to pay their bills.
This growing issue has not only led to protests but also incidents of electricity theft. “Some people have resorted to using illegal hook lines to avoid paying bills. When we attempt to enforce bill collection, certain groups are inciting others against us, vandalizing corporate property, harassing employees, and organizing protests to prevent payment,” said an official from the corporation.
The incident at Kolsi Bazar is just one example of the rising tensions. As the workers were detained by angry residents, it became evident that a more significant issue is brewing in the region. TSECL has called for immediate action, urging the public to cooperate by paying their bills on time and refraining from illegal practices.
The corporation also revealed that its infrastructure modernization efforts are being severely hindered by the massive backlog in payments. “As of August, private consumers across the state owe a staggering Rs 544 crore. This is directly impacting our ability to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure required to ensure smooth power supply,” the official explained. The corporation has also faced challenges with key service providers like GAIL, ONGC, and BSNL, whose services have been interrupted due to the financial strain caused by unpaid bills.
TSECL stressed the importance of timely bill payments, noting that it affects not only the corporation but also legitimate consumers who are facing service disruptions due to the actions of a few. “We are appealing for the active cooperation of all consumers. Paying bills on time and eliminating illegal hook lines is crucial to improving electricity management and ensuring a reliable power supply for everyone,” urged the official.
The situation in Tripura highlights a growing challenge faced by power providers across the country. As TSECL works to resolve the crisis, the corporation remains hopeful that consumers will step forward, pay their dues, and cooperate with authorities to bring an end to the unrest.
