Agartala, July 20:
State BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee on Sunday came out strongly in defense of the state government’s ongoing smart meter installation drive, accusing opposition parties of spreading misinformation and attempting to derail the initiative.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Agartala, Bhattacharjee criticized the CPI(M) and Congress for allegedly misleading the public with “baseless propaganda” against a modern and beneficial infrastructure project.
“Parties like CPI(M) and Congress are unable to accept the progress and development achieved under the current government. They are resorting to falsehoods to confuse people about the smart meter initiative,” Bhattacharjee said.
He clarified that the smart meter rollout aligns with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, which mandate the installation of smart meters for all electricity consumers in the country.
Highlighting the benefits, he explained that smart meters ensure accurate billing, enhance transparency, and improve service delivery. “This is part of the broader digitization mission, similar to the implementation of e-offices, aimed at bringing greater efficiency and accountability in governance,” he noted.
Bhattacharjee also used the platform to deliver a sharp critique of previous CPI(M)-led and Congress governments in the state. He accused former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the Left Front regime of presiding over a 25-year period marked by corruption, violence, and systemic failure.
“Unlike past governments, we are focused on technology-driven solutions for people’s welfare. Smart meters are a step toward empowering consumers, not burdening them,” the BJP leader added.
The press conference comes amid ongoing political debate around the smart meter initiative, which the BJP insists is a necessary and progressive move for modernizing Tripura’s power infrastructure.
