By TC News Desk
Agartala, 7th April 2025: Representatives of the Tripura Electricity Consumers Association alleged that the central government is pushing for privatization of electricity across the country by transferring generation, distribution, and supply to private corporations. As part of a nationwide protest week demanding the repeal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022, the association organized a protest meeting at Battala Bazar here today.
“The government is looting money from customers under the guise of fixed charges, duty charges, and service charges,” claimed Sanjay Chowdhury, convener of the association, during the protest. Chowdhury further demanded the abolition of the TOD system introduced via smart meters, stating, “Electricity has been an essential service for the public since independence, but the 2003 amendment to the Electricity Act transformed it into a profit-driven sector, paving the way for privatization.”
The association expressed concerns about the Electricity Amendment Bill 2022, which proposes dividing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution into three segments under private ownership. They criticized the introduction of prepaid smart meters, terming them harmful to public interest. Chowdhury added, “Digital meters were replaced with smart prepaid meters as part of privatization efforts, which go against the welfare of the people.”
Consumer organizations nationwide, including the All India Electricity Consumers Association, have united to oppose these measures. From April 1 to April 7, 2025, protestors have demanded the cessation of privatization, the removal of smart meters, and the repeal of the Electricity Amendment Bill. In continuation of these efforts, today’s protest in Battala reflected the growing dissatisfaction among electricity consumers in Tripura.
