Latest news with #RatanLalNath
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Tripura: Authorities get strict as 60 per cent consumers found not paying power bills
Agartala: Around 60 per cent electricity consumers in Tripura do not pay energy bills, forcing the authorities to take drastic steps including disconnection of power lines and imposition of hefty fines against the defaulters, an official said on Saturday. A senior official of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) said that out of 9.87 lakh electricity consumers in the state, only 4.32 lakh customers are paying their bills on time. 'Lakhs of electricity consumers, mostly in rural and interior areas, do not pay their electricity bills. We have imposed a hefty fine and disconnected electric lines of the defaulters,' the official said. He said that during the past two years, the electricity lines of thousands of default consumers were disconnected. 'In many occasions, the TSECL engineers and workers were attacked or prevented when they went to disconnect the power lines of default consumers,' the official said. Tripura Power and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath earlier said that the TSECL has undertaken a massive effort across the state to install rooftop solar power plants in thousands of homes under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a central scheme encouraging rooftop solar power adoption through generous subsidies. Under the scheme, residents can install rooftop solar panels and not only reduce their electricity expenses to zero but also earn refunds for surplus energy supplied back to the grid, the Minister had said. 'My last power bill before installing the solar plant was Rs 8,726. Now, after switching to solar, I received a refund of Rs 763 from TSECL,' Nath said. The TSECL purchasing power from the solar power suppliers at Rs 2.65 per unit the Minister had said adding that over 300 households have installed rooftop solar plants so far in Tripura and thousands of families registered their names seeking to install such solar plants under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Nath on Friday said that the TSECL is contemplating to use drones and other technologies to detect power theft, power loss and illegal hook line usage in the state. The Minister urged the people to pay electricity bills on time and help the corporation to ensure steady power supply by discouraging theft and wastage. Tripura has been a power surplus state since 2011 and supplies electricity to other northeastern states and neighbouring Bangladesh from its several gas-based power plants.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tripura to use drones to detect power theft
Agartala: Tripura govt on Friday announced to deploy drones to detect power theft and illegal hookline usage in the state in order to bring transparency in the power sector. Power minister Ratan Lal Nath appealed to citizens to pay electricity bills on time and help the govt ensure quality power supply by discouraging theft and wastage. "We're committed to bringing in more advanced technologies in the coming days to make Tripura's power sector future-ready," he said. Expressing concerns over frequent power outages during storms, he said, "Many people think power goes off due to faults during storms, but in reality, we often shut down the supply as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents. States like Odisha face more storms but have adopted advanced technology, we are moving in that direction too." Highlighting Tripura's energy mix, Nath said the state largely relies on gas-based power generation. However, with depleting gas reserves, the govt is now focusing on renewable sources like solar energy. He also urged citizens to make use of the Pradhan Mantri Muft Bijli Yojana, which offers subsidies, loans, and other support for solar panel installation. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tripura announces Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan to boost agricultural production
Aiming to boost agricultural production, the Tripura government on Monday announced the launch in the state of the central government's ambitious nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan from May 29. The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a pan-India campaign announced by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi recently. It will cover 723 districts in the country. 'Our Union agriculture minister held a virtual meeting with all the state agriculture ministers of the country. The meeting was about Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, which will run from May 29 to June 12. The campaign is about how to hike agricultural production and resources, enhance income sources of farmers and reduce costs involved in agriculture,' state Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath told reporters after the meeting. As part of the campaign, awareness will be raised in villages and gram panchayats about all state and centrally sponsored schemes for farmers, he said. 'Our state will have one state coordinator and there will be coordinators for the districts. We are involving ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) and KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) scientists in this,' the minister added.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tripura plans to illuminate homes of 80,000 families with solar power
1 2 Agartala: The Tripura administration has initiated a project to establish solar plants with 100 megawatts capacity, aiming to supply electricity to 80,000 economically disadvantaged families who use less than 100 units per month. Power minister Ratan Lal Nath indicated that this step aligns with the Prime Minister's vision to transition from traditional to renewable energy sources. The minister announced plans to implement solar power systems across all government establishments in the state, demonstrating leadership in sustainable infrastructure development. Under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana , 266 households have received solar power connections, marking a significant achievement in India's renewable energy objectives. "At the beginning of the state's ambitious mission to install solar power systems in 50,000 households by March 2027, Tripura achieved an impressive target of becoming self-reliant in the power sector by six months," Nath said. He added that the Surya Ghar Yojana, a central government programme, strives to provide widespread access to clean energy while reducing reliance on conventional sources. He noted that 13,536 households in Tripura have registered online for the scheme. "The Surya Ghar scheme is a game-changer, enabling households to generate their electricity, save on bills, and even earn income by supplying surplus power to the grid," Nath said. He added that 184 consumers have received govt subsidies for solar installation, with 15 banks providing loans totalling Rs 1.75 crore. According to the minister, residential consumers can install solar systems up to 10 kilowatts, with subsidies covering up to 3 kilowatts. Housing complexes and residential associations are eligible for installations up to 500 kilowatts, receiving Rs 19,800 per kilowatt in subsidies.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Scindia reviews steps to promote pineapples of Tripura globally
Agartala: DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia conducted a comprehensive review meeting with stakeholders, including Tripura's pineapple growers, to discuss strategies for international promotion of the state's pineapple production. The production of premium quality Queen pineapple in Tripura has seen a five-fold increase over six years, following successful exports to various Indian cities, Middle East and the UK. The state has witnessed the return of over 5,000 farmers to pineapple cultivation, establishing Tripura's global recognition for distinctive horticultural products, including scented lemon, juicy pineapple, scented black rice, turmeric, and hot green chilly. Agriculture minister Ratan Lal Nath, participating virtually, said discussions were held regarding international promotion of Tripura's Queen and Kew pineapple varieties. The meeting outlined a two-phase plan spanning three years. In the first phase, which will continue for the first 21 months, a baseline study and market research will be carried out. The second phase will involve sending trial shipments to international markets for evaluation. Agartala: DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia conducted a comprehensive review meeting with stakeholders, including Tripura's pineapple growers, to discuss strategies for international promotion of the state's pineapple production. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The production of premium quality Queen pineapple in Tripura has seen a five-fold increase over six years, following successful exports to various Indian cities, Middle East and the UK. The state has witnessed the return of over 5,000 farmers to pineapple cultivation, establishing Tripura's global recognition for distinctive horticultural products, including scented lemon, juicy pineapple, scented black rice, turmeric, and hot green chilly. Agriculture minister Ratan Lal Nath, participating virtually, said discussions were held regarding international promotion of Tripura's Queen and Kew pineapple varieties. The meeting outlined a two-phase plan spanning three years. In the first phase, which will continue for the first 21 months, a baseline study and market research will be carried out. The second phase will involve sending trial shipments to international markets for evaluation.
