Agartala, 29th July 2026 : An electricity bill of Rs 544 for the consumption of just one unit of power has sparked outrage in the Birchandramanu area of Santirbazar subdivision, with locals alleging that the bill is a classic example of a “ghost bill.”
The bill was issued to trader Ashutosh Reang, whose shop has reportedly remained closed for a long period. According to local residents, despite the shop being shut, the consumer had been regularly paying the minimum monthly electricity charges to keep the connection active.
However, Ashutosh was left stunned after receiving the latest bill from the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). The bill shows that only one unit of electricity was consumed during the billing period, yet the payable amount, including applicable charges after the due date, stood at Rs 544.
The incident has triggered widespread concern among consumers in the area, many of whom questioned how such a high bill could be generated despite negligible electricity consumption. Residents alleged that consumers with inactive shops or business establishments continue to bear substantial fixed charges simply because their electricity connections remain active, placing an unnecessary financial burden on them.
Responding to the allegations, Tapas Bhowmik, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the Santirbazar Electricity Department, said the bill had been generated in accordance with the department’s prescribed billing procedures.
Meanwhile, consumers have demanded that the electricity department review such alleged “ghost bills” and introduce a more transparent and consumption-based billing system. The incident has intensified dissatisfaction over electricity billing practices in the area, with residents now awaiting departmental action to verify the complaint, rectify the bill if necessary, and provide appropriate relief to the affected consumer.
