Agartala 23rd July 2026: Contractors engaged with the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) on Thursday alleged prolonged non-payment of their dues and warned of a statewide work stoppage if their pending bills are not cleared immediately.
Representatives of the Tripura TSECL Contractors’ Association met the Managing Director (MD) of the corporation to press for the release of pending payments and resolution of other grievances. Speaking to reporters, the association’s Joint Secretary, Swapan Das, claimed that contractors from across the state are facing severe financial distress due to delayed payments.
“We have come to meet the Managing Director on behalf of the association because we are in a state of utter helplessness. We cannot pay our children’s school fees or bear the medical expenses of our parents. Despite submitting around ten letters and even writing to the Chief Minister, our pending bills have not been cleared,” Das said.
He alleged that contractors have continued to work day and night to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across Tripura, but their own families are struggling due to non-payment. “We keep the lights on for everyone, yet our own homes remain in darkness. Creditors regularly come to our houses and humiliate us in front of our parents, wives and children,” he claimed.
Das further alleged that the processing of contractors’ bills has slowed significantly over the past two years and claimed that senior officials have little authority to approve payments. He also objected to reports that outside agencies could be engaged if local contractors fail to complete work, saying such a move contradicts the government’s “Vocal for Local” policy.
The association placed four key demands before the corporation, including immediate release of long-pending bills, issuance of pending work orders for completed projects, and withdrawal of the alleged restrictions on issuing new work orders at the divisional level.
Warning of intensified agitation, Das said that if payments are not released soon, the ongoing work stoppage in a few districts would be expanded across the entire state. He also claimed that although the Power Minister had earlier assured payment after discussions, the promised dues have still not been cleared.
