A prolonged server outage that disrupted prepaid electricity recharges and the recent hike in electricity-related charges have triggered fresh controversy in Tripura. While the Tripura Electricity Consumer Association accused TSECL of causing widespread hardship and demanded compensation, TSECL contractors issued a clarification stating that the controversial Duty Charge is a statutory state government tax.
Agartala: A server outage at the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has sparked fresh criticism from electricity consumers across Tripura. The technical failure reportedly prevented thousands of prepaid consumers from recharging their electricity accounts for several days. At the same time, a recent increase in electricity-related charges has added to public resentment.
On Monday, the Tripura Electricity Consumer Association staged a protest and submitted a six-point memorandum to the TSECL Managing Director. Meanwhile, TSECL Contractors issued a social media clarification stating that the controversial Duty Charge is a statutory tax imposed by the Tripura Government and not a source of revenue for the power utility.
Consumer body blames server outage for prolonged hardship
Tripura Electricity Consumer Association Convenor Sanjay Chowdhury said the TSECL server remained down for several days. The outage allegedly stopped prepaid consumers from recharging their electricity connections despite having sufficient balance.
“You are aware that for the past few days, the TSECL server has remained down. Thousands of prepaid consumers could not recharge their electricity connections despite having money. Many households remained in darkness,” Chowdhury said while speaking to Enewstime correspondent today.
The association claimed the disruption affected consumers across different parts of the state. It said the outage exposed the vulnerability of the prepaid electricity system and highlighted the need for a stronger digital infrastructure.
Association seeks compensation
The association alleged that the server failure caused physical, financial and mental hardship.
Chowdhury said patients, senior citizens and children suffered the most because they had to stay without electricity for several days.
“We demand compensation for all affected consumers. TSECL must compensate them for the physical, mental and financial losses they have suffered,” he said.
The memorandum also urged TSECL to strengthen its technical systems and ensure that consumers do not face similar disruptions in future.
Protest targets recent electricity bill hike
The consumer body also objected to the increase in several electricity billing components introduced from May.
According to Chowdhury, consumers are paying higher electricity charges, fixed charges, Duty Charges and Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPPA) charges.
He described the increase as excessive and demanded that the corporation review the revised billing structure.
The association argued that rising electricity costs have added to the financial burden on ordinary households.
Contractors explain what Duty Charge means
As criticism over electricity bills intensified, TSECL Contractors published a detailed clarification on social media.
The contractors said the Duty Charge is actually Electricity Duty, a statutory levy under the Tripura Electricity Duty Act, 1980.
According to the clarification, TSECL does not retain this amount. Instead, it collects the duty on behalf of the state government and deposits it in the government treasury.
Electricity Duty goes to the State Treasury
The contractors said the current Electricity Duty in Tripura is 10 per cent of the total energy charge.
The levy applies to domestic, commercial and industrial consumers. However, agricultural consumers and certain Below Poverty Line (BPL) households receive exemptions under existing rules.
The clarification stated that the money collected through Electricity Duty goes directly to the Tripura Government Treasury. The government uses the revenue for public expenditure, including roads, schools and hospitals.
TSECL cannot change the Duty rate
The contractors also clarified that TSECL has no legal authority to increase or reduce the Duty Charge.
They said only the Tripura Government can revise the rate by amending the Tripura Electricity Duty Act, 1980 through the Legislative Assembly.
The post concluded that TSECL functions only as the government’s collection agency for Electricity Duty.
“The money does not remain at Bidyut Bhavan. It goes directly to the State Government Treasury,” the clarification said.
Service disruption and billing remain separate issues
The latest developments have brought two separate issues into focus.
The first concerns the prolonged server outage that allegedly disrupted prepaid electricity services and triggered demands for compensation.
The second relates to public confusion over electricity billing, particularly the Duty Charge. The contractors’ clarification seeks to explain that the levy is a government tax rather than revenue earned by TSECL.
The corporation has not yet issued an official statement on the server outage, the demand for compensation or the allegations made by the consumer association. The controversy is expected to remain in focus as consumers await both restoration of reliable services and greater transparency in electricity billing.
