TSECL disconnects power to Dharmanagar Cricket Association after year-long bill default

Just a day after Tripura's Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath addressed the state’s worsening electricity payment scenario in a press conference, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) took a significant and symbolic action — it disconnected the power supply of the Dharmanagar Cricket Association over a year-long non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 10.17 lakh.

In his press briefing, Minister Nath revealed a concerning statistic: only 41% of electricity consumers in Tripura pay their bills on time. The remaining 59% regularly default, plunging the state electricity corporation into financial distress. He emphasized that without direct support from the state government, the power corporation would have collapsed under its growing liabilities.

In a public appeal, Nath urged all electricity consumers in Tripura to pay their dues on time to help sustain uninterrupted power services. “It is every citizen’s responsibility to contribute by paying their bills so that services can continue smoothly,” he said.

Less than 24 hours after the appeal, TSECL’s Dharmanagar division executed the disconnection of the Dharmanagar Cricket Association’s power supply. According to officials, the association had not cleared its dues for nearly a year, despite repeated verbal requests and multiple written notices.

"TSECL does not wish to disconnect anyone’s electricity, especially institutions of public interest," a senior official from the corporation said. "But if repeated requests are ignored and dues continue to accumulate, we are left with no other option but to enforce disconnection as per regulations."

The move has stirred widespread public discussion. Many citizens and analysts have hailed it as a justified and timely step, emphasizing that rules must be applied equally to all — whether public or private entities. They also point out that the government’s repeated appeals cannot be ignored indefinitely without consequences.

Power Minister Nath had also underscored this point in his address, warning that the power corporation would be on the brink of collapse without government aid and public cooperation. “To maintain uninterrupted service, we need active participation from the people. Everyone must act responsibly,” he said.

The disconnection of the cricket association’s electricity is being viewed not just as a penalty against a single defaulter, but as a broader message about accountability and equal enforcement of rules. It highlights a growing push from the government to restore financial discipline within the power sector.

Now, the key question is: how will other defaulters across the state respond to this precedent? The state’s power utility and administration hope this will prompt wider awareness and a renewed sense of responsibility among electricity consumers.

In a state where financial sustainability of essential services hinges on timely payments, this incident is a stark reminder that civic participation is not only expected — it is essential.