Agartala, July 11: Smart meters are a tool to smartly robbing electricity users. The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) must stop installing smart meters at the houses of the people in the State. The demand against was smart meters was raised by the Tripura Electricity Consumers Association (TECA) in Agartala on Friday.
The Electricity Corporation is installing smart meters in the absence of consumers by misleading people, intimidating them, and forcing them to do so. Smart meters are a device for smartly robbing consumers of their money. Sanjay Chowdhury, convener of the Tripura Electricity Consumers Association, made this allegation at a press conference on Friday.
The West District Committee of CPIM also raised similar demand. Addressing a gathering in front of the Bhuturia Electric Office in Agartala today, former Minister and CPIM leader Manik Dey slammed the government on this issue. Claiming that concerned authority in many states have already withdrawn smart meters after a backlash from the consumers, Manik Dey urged the TSECL to stop introduction of smart meters.
Voicing frustration over increasing electricity tariffs and poor power services, the Tripura Electricity Consumers Association (TECA) held a press meet on Friday at Bidurkarta Chowmuhani, Agartala. The association raised serious objections to the installation of prepaid smart meters and called for their complete removal across the state.
Addressing the media, TECA convenor Sanjay Choudhury outlined several major issues while opposing the installation of smart meters in place of existing digital meters.
Consumers from various parts of the state are reportedly grappling with surging electricity bills. The hike in rates, without any noticeable improvement in service, is straining household budgets and livelihoods, TECA said.
Choudhury alleged that the prepaid smart meters are being used as “tools for systematic financial exploitation.” He argued that the system lacks transparency and unfairly penalizes consumers, pushing many into financial stress.
Once a profit-making entity between 2017 and 2019, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) slipped into losses during 2019–20. The association blamed internal inefficiencies and poor decisions—including outsourcing key functions following the retirement of experienced meter readers and linemen—for current billing irregularities and deteriorating rural power delivery.
TECA cited government surveys indicating that TSECL’s rank among 53 state utilities dropped from 33rd in 2022 to 39th in 2023, with the association warning of further decline if immediate corrective actions are not taken.
TECA raised alarms over what it claims is a strategic move to hand over power distribution to corporate conglomerates like Adani, Tata, and Torrent. Choudhury alleged that smart meters are being installed forcibly in many households, often without the owner’s knowledge or consent, in preparation for privatization.
Choudhury stated, “We have joined a nationwide campaign against the imposition of smart meters and the larger privatization agenda being pushed in the power sector.”
The association has rolled out a seven-point charter of demands and launched mass signature campaigns to press their case. They plan to submit a formal memorandum to the Union Power Minister in the coming weeks.
TECA is also distributing forms to encourage residents to refuse new smart meter installations and demand the removal of those installed without consent.
| Also Read: Kishor Barman Assigned Key Portfolios in Tripura Cabinet |
| Also Read: Agartala Dental College: Tripura CM Unveils Rs 200 Crore Upgrade Plan |
Drawing attention to a similar situation in West Bengal, Choudhury pointed out that public pressure there had led the government to suspend the smart meter rollout. He urged the Tripura government to follow suit.
Calling on citizens to act, he appealed to consumers to visit local electricity offices, submit their objections in writing, and collectively resist the move to commercialize an essential public service.
CPIM leader Manik Dey also protested against imposition of fuel charge on electricity users. He said people are already paying taxes for gases. Electricity are being generated using gas, so why people will have to pay taxes on gas twice, he asked.
