The Tripura Pradesh Congress on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led state government over the installation of smart electricity meters, alleging that the initiative has resulted in inflated power bills and placed an additional financial burden on ordinary consumers.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Headquarters in Agartala, party spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty accused the state government of misleading consumers in the name of modernisation and demanded greater transparency in electricity billing.
Chakraborty claimed that while smart meters were introduced as a measure to improve efficiency and transparency, several households were receiving unusually high electricity bills despite no significant change in their consumption patterns.
“Electricity is not a luxury; it is a basic necessity. When bills suddenly multiply without explanation, the government must answer,” he said. Chakraborty also cited his own household’s experience, claiming that it had received an unusually high electricity bill following the introduction of the new system.
The Congress leader maintained that the party was not opposed to the adoption of modern technology but questioned its implementation if consumers were being adversely affected.
“We are not against technology. But if smart meters are leading to unexplained hikes, then their use must be questioned,” Chakraborty said.
He demanded that the government release comparative data on electricity consumption and billing before and after the installation of smart meters. The Congress also sought an impartial investigation into complaints from consumers regarding alleged discrepancies and inflated bills.
Stepping up his criticism, Chakraborty accused Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath of making misleading claims about the benefits of smart meters. Taking a dig at the minister, he said that “if there were an award for misleading the public, he would deserve a gold medal.”
The Congress demanded that the state government scrap the smart meter system and withdraw additional charges allegedly being imposed on electricity consumers.
SC Department chairman Niranjan Das and Sadar district president Tanmoy Roy, among other party leaders present at the press conference, supported the demands.
The party maintained that concerns surrounding smart meters and rising electricity bills have generated resentment among consumers and urged the government to address the complaints and provide clarity on the billing mechanism.
