AGARTALA: Facing severe financial distress, members of the State Committee of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Contractor Association called on the Managing Director (MD) of the power department at Bidyut Bhavan today, presenting a memorandum demanding the immediate settlement of dues pending for nearly two years.
During the meeting, association leaders highlighted that despite successfully executing various infrastructural and development projects under TSECL over the past two years, their legitimate payment bills have remained unpaid.
Mounting Financial Crisis and Labor Grievances
Speaking to reporters after the deputation, representative leaders of the association expressed deep frustration over the prolonged administrative delay, pointing out that contractor families and associated field workers are facing immense hardship.
Key Issues Highlighted in the Deputation:
- Unpaid Dues for 2 Years: Development works completed across multiple subdivisions remain uncompensated, tying up huge capital.
- Inability to Pay Worker Wages: Contractors expressed inability to disburse regular wages to daily-wage laborers, technicians, and field staff due to the severe cash crunch.
- Supplier Pressure & Personal Debt: Pending payments have led to mounting dues with material vendors and equipment suppliers, pushing contractors into debt traps.
- Demand for Timely Disbursement: The association urged the management to set a definite timeline for clearing all verified pending bills to keep ongoing works afloat.
Management Assurance
The delegation submitted a detailed representation outlining their charter of demands. The Managing Director of TSECL gave a patient hearing to the delegation’s grievances and assured them that the corporation is taking steps to review the pending bill files and resolve the payment bottlenecks at the earliest.
The association warned that if the outstanding dues are not cleared progressively, contractors across the state will be forced to suspend pending utility maintenance and ongoing electrical infrastructure work.
