The Tripura government has decided to fully absorb the recently increased fixed electricity charges by providing a 100 per cent subsidy on the hike, offering relief to nearly 10 lakh power consumers across the state.

Announcing the decision at a press conference on Thursday, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the subsidy would benefit domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial consumers. However, railway traction has been excluded from the scheme. Defence establishments, railways and national broadcasting organisations will receive a 15 per cent subsidy on the increased fixed charges.

Nath said the revised electricity tariff order for 2026-27 was issued by the Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (TDERC) in accordance with directions requiring state power utilities to recover their revenue gaps within three years. The revision led to a substantial increase in fixed charges, triggering concerns among households, farmers and the business community.

“Considering the concerns of consumers, the state government has decided to provide 100 per cent subsidy on the increased fixed charges,” Nath said. The subsidy will be applicable retrospectively from May 2026.

Consumers who have already paid bills at the revised rates will not suffer any additional burden. The excess amount paid will be adjusted against their subsequent electricity bills over three billing cycles — September, October and November.

Nath said Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha had taken the issue seriously and convened an urgent meeting after receiving concerns over the tariff increase. The Chief Minister also curtailed his Delhi programme and returned to Tripura to address the issue.

The minister compared electricity tariff revisions under successive governments, stating that tariffs had increased by 116.03 per cent between 2010-11 and 2017-18, compared with a 40.42 per cent increase during the last eight years under the present government. He also highlighted that consumers received a rebate in 2020-21.

According to Nath, international gas prices had surged by around 196 per cent during 2022-23, but the state government did not immediately pass on the impact to consumers. He said the subsequent revision became necessary following directions from the regulatory commission.

The 100 per cent subsidy on the increased fixed charges is expected to cost the state exchequer around Rs 77.57 crore. An additional provision of Rs 117.13 crore has also been made, the minister said.

Nath claimed that this was the first time in Tripura that a government had decided to completely absorb the burden of an electricity tariff hike. He said the decision would provide relief to a wide section of consumers, including farmers, rickshaw pullers, small traders and ordinary households.