Amid protests against smart meters and ‘exorbitant' bills, Tripura power agency asked to explain ‘consistent underbilling'
In the letter written to the power distribution agency on Tuesday, R K Roy, DGM (Revenue), TSECL, stated that meter readers in the Khowai Electrical subdivision were found to have submitted average consumption data for several consumers who have functional meters capable of recording consumption.
The official further stated that the comparative billing data showed 'consistent underbilling, which has caused a direct financial loss to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL)'.
'This act violates the contractual agreement and demonstrates either gross negligence or deliberate misconduct by your meter readers, specifically of that particular area. As per the agreement, it is required to: Record actual meter readings from functional meters without fail, Avoid average billing unless supported by valid justification ( meter defect/inaccessibility), Ensure no action results in loss of revenue to TSECL,' reads the letter.
'You are hereby directed to show cause within 7 (seven) days from the date of receipt of this notice, stating why penal action should not be taken against you under the provisions of the contract Agreement. In case of failure to provide a satisfactory reply within the stipulated time, appropriate action shall be taken without any further correspondence,' the letter continued.
The state has recently witnessed protests by Opposition political parties against the government's decision to install smart electric meters and hike power tariffs.
Speaking during a protest, a Congress leader said, 'The power tariff has been hiked without informing the people. We strongly condemn this and demand the withdrawal of the hike. Moreover, they have included a Rs 30 road tax in the name of CNG and PNG. Their party is opposing smart meters in West Bengal, but in Tripura the power minister is in favour of smart meters.'
The Trinamool Congress protested in front of Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath's home, demanding that both decisions be withdrawn. 'We will continue our protest till he withdraws these,' a TMC leader said.
Raising the same demand, the CPM protested in front of Udaipur Bidyut Bhawan
Nath later said that consumers would be able to keep both meters–their current electronic meters and the new smart meters. 'If anyone can prove any fault in smart meters, the government will roll back the decision to install them,' he said.
'There has been an attempt to confuse people. The power tariff and smart meter are two separate things. In the seven years (since 2018), the power tariff was hiked by 24.9 per cent under the BJP government, while the tariff rose by 116.03 per cent in seven years under CPM rule,' the power minister said.
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