The Tripura Pradesh Congress on Wednesday demanded the withdrawal of additional charges linked to smart meters, cancellation of the ART meter system and an impartial investigation into complaints of abnormal electricity bills in the state.

Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan in Agartala, party spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty criticised the BJP-led government’s electricity policy and alleged that consumers were being subjected to an additional financial burden in the name of modernising the power sector.

Chakraborty claimed that complaints of sharp increases in electricity bills had emerged after the installation of smart meters. He questioned the government’s position on the ART meter system and its effectiveness, and sought transparency over the actual impact of smart meters on consumers.

Launching a sharp attack on Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, Chakraborty alleged that “false propaganda” was being spread by the BJP government. He said the use of technology in the power sector was welcome if it improved efficiency, transparency and affordability for consumers.

However, he alleged that despite officials and engineers highlighting the benefits of smart meters, adequate explanations were not being provided regarding the sharp rise in bills reported by several consumers.

According to Chakraborty, even households with similar patterns of electricity consumption had reported bills increasing several times after smart meters were installed. He said such cases should be investigated to determine whether technical faults, meter-reading errors or other factors were responsible.

Referring to his own electricity bill, the Congress spokesperson said he was also verifying an unusually high bill received at his residence and was seeking to understand the reasons behind it.

The Congress demanded that electricity consumption data, differences in bills before and after installation of smart meters, and the accuracy of meter readings be independently verified and made transparent. The party also called for an impartial inquiry into complaints of abnormal electricity bills and identification of the actual causes.

Chakraborty clarified that the Congress was not opposed to technology but wanted its implementation to remain focused on consumer interests.

Pradesh Congress SC Department chairman Niranjan Das and Samer District Congress president Tanmoy Roy were also present at the press conference.