By TC News Desk
Agartala, 24th July 2025: Widespread controversy has surfaced across the state regarding the installation of smart meters, with residents of West Pilak under Jolaibari Assembly Constituency staging protests demanding their removal.
Locals allege that the smart meters are generating inflated electricity bills, citing multiple charges such as fixed fees and fuel surcharges. Many claim that the amount being billed far exceeds actual consumption—a trend not observed prior to the introduction of these meters.
The majority of residents in West Pilak are daily wage earners, and they assert that the sharp rise in electricity bills is making it increasingly difficult to sustain their families. One alarming incident reportedly involves a resident receiving a bill exceeding ₹1 lakh, sparking heightened community outrage.
United in dissent, the protestors have submitted appeals to local MLA and minister Sukla Charan Noatia, as well as to the state’s Power Minister, urging intervention and relief from the financial burden. All eyes are now on the Power Department to see what steps will be taken in response to the community’s growing unrest.
