The Tripura government announced an additional subsidy of Rs 1,171.3 million (mn) to the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) to cushion consumers from a hike in fixed charges in electricity bills. The state Cabinet approved the allocation on Thursday following protests and complaints over sharply higher bills. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the measure was intended to provide immediate relief amid widespread agitation.

Regulatory changes by the Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission in June had raised fixed charges and triggered protests across the state. The government assessed the impact on hundreds of thousands of consumers and the chief minister held a high level meeting to consider compensatory measures. Officials reviewed billing patterns and consulted the power corporation before finalising the subsidy.

With the additional allocation, the government’s total subsidy to the power sector for the current financial year will rise from Rs 775.7 mn to Rs 1,947.0 mn. The state will provide 100 per cent subsidy against the increased fixed charge to shield consumers from the extra burden. Authorities said the funds would be routed through TSECL to offset higher billing components.

The minister defended the government’s record on electricity tariffs, noting tariffs had risen by 40.42 per cent during the present administration’s tenure despite a sharp increase in natural gas prices. He contrasted this with a 116 per cent rise between the 2010-11 and the 2017-18 financial years under the previous Left Front government and described the subsidy as an unprecedented intervention. Opposition parties including the CPI(M) and Congress criticised the move as an abnormal hike, and consumers in several areas had protested by gheraoing TSECL offices while demanding prompt action to address bill grievances.