Non-payment of electricity bills rises; attempts to undermine TSECL despite uninterrupted service

A curious trend is emerging in parts of Tripura—some electricity consumers are refusing to pay their bills while continuing to demand full services. What’s more, a section of these defaulters is trying to shift the blame onto the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), often using select media outlets as a shield to justify their non-payment.

TSECL through a press statement said that the recent situation in Narayan Basti and Lingaya Basti under Asharambari ADC Village, Tulashikhar Block, makes the issue sharply visible. According to TSECL’s records, out of 38 consumers in these two areas, only 2 have paid their electricity bills up to September 2025. The average bill-payment rate in the entire sub-division stands at barely 15 percent. Despite repeated visits and requests from TSECL field employees, the majority of consumers refused to cooperate. Instead, many chose to accuse the corporation’s staff at every opportunity.

Against this backdrop, a 25 kVA transformer in the area suddenly failed in early October. While some immediately seized the moment to raise allegations, TSECL acted without delay. The very next day, the corporation restored supply by temporarily linking the affected localities to a nearby 63 kVA transformer under the L.I. Scheme. As a result, not a single day passed without electricity in either locality.

This arrangement continued smoothly until the afternoon of 7 December, when the 63 kVA transformer also broke down. The following day, 8 December, engineers and staff from the Tulashikhar Electrical Sub-Division reached the site and attempted repairs. When it became clear that on-spot repairs would not be successful due to technical reasons, TSECL decided to replace the transformer entirely. Work on this replacement began immediately.

But in the meantime, a sudden claim began circulating in the area: that they had supposedly been without electricity for “two months.” Some media outlets were also drawn into this misleading narrative. Later, it became evident that the intention behind spreading this false claim was simple—if the story caught on, TSECL staff wouldn’t be able to demand pending dues for the next few months. In other words, the chaos was engineered to hide prolonged non-payment of bills.

TSECL has made its position very clear. The corporation remains committed to providing uninterrupted and quality electricity to every corner of Tripura. Whether arranging alternative supply within hours, reaching the field on time, or taking swift decisions to install new transformers—each step reflects TSECL’s dedication and readiness to maintain steady service.

However, strengthening the system further requires active cooperation from consumers. Regular bill payment doesn’t just keep the service running—it helps TSECL upgrade and expand its network. The corporation has appealed to all consumers to clear their outstanding dues and stand by the system that works tirelessly for them.

TSECL stresses that responsibility rests on both sides. The corporation delivers power with commitment—and consumers must uphold their part by paying on time, said the statement.