AGARTALA, December 6 (TIWN): During the last one year and eight months Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd(TSECL) has increased the electricity charges more than three times. It is to be mentioned here that TSECL a unit of Govt of Tripura is a failure in disconnecting the illegal users of electricity as in most of the cases the illegal users are politically influential obviously by means of their allegiance to the ruling party. But whenever opportunities arise, TSECL never seems to lose any way to impose any hike in electricity charges.However as per Sub Section 4 of Section 62 of the Determination of Tariff of Central Electricity Act 2003 it is categorically mentioned," No tariff or part of tariff may ordinarily be ammended, more frequently than once in any financial year" but in Tripura TSECL and state govt quite arbitrarily amended the tariff twice in 2013.

As a result of poor management of the TSECL and also lack of interests from the State Govt on the illegal users, more precisely the thieves of electricity, take as a means to earn money . In many parts of the state it is seen that even after using illegal connection a persons extends this connection to other houses or even to commercial shops on rent. There is no surprise that the illegal users are either political activists of the ruling party or more or less he is in close relation to any politically influential persons. Quite naturally TSECL local authorities are unable to take action against them. 

        In November this TSECL amended its charges and imposed another hike of 5.69% ( 33 praise per unit) upon the valid users. Interestingly in March 2013 the corporation increased its tarrif rates in a single phase from Rs 3.50/- per unit to Rs 4.44/- per unit. And again in July 2013 TSECL amended its tariff and declared four slabs with immediate effect - Rs 3.85/-, Rs 5.10/-, Rs 5.80/- and Rs 6.90/- . What is surprisingly over looked in all these occasions was that every time opposition parties made protests and obviously attracted media highlights. After a few days all protests went in to abyss of eternity and the common public are left to suffer for the intentionally imposed illegal tariff charges. By doing so Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd(TSECL) has been violating the guidelines of the Central Electricity Act 2003.

      In Sub Section 4 of Section 62 of the Determination of Tariff of Central Electricity Act 2003 it is categorically mentioned," No tariff or part of tariff may ordinarily be ammended, more frequently than once in any financial year , except in respect of any changes expressedly permitted under the terms of any fuel surcharge formula as may be specified." Thus the Act itself states that even Corporation can't change or amend its tariff as per policy. But in Tripura TSECL and state govt quite arbitrarily ammended the tariff twice in 2013  simply due to the 'behind the curtains' deal between the ruling and the so-called opposition. In West Bengal even within a span of six months BJP has emerged as a formidable opposition and continuously the party is protesting against any injustice or illegal activity of  Trinamool Congress led state govt. Unfortunately in Tripura since 1993 when CPI(M) led LF came to power, no opposition has so far been able to stand up to the demand of the people. And taking the advantage of it LF Govt is running its afairs at its own will ; the sufferers are the common masses.

     After the recent two 'Ms' close bonding ( Modi and Manik),  like other corruption cases , Centre is least likely to give direction to the state about the violation of guidelines given in Determination of Tariff . And due to this surprisingly close connection of two leaders of two totally opposite poles, people of Tripura now begin to fear that their sufferings have again started to go unheard like the UPA regime.