Agartala, July 23: Contractors working under the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) on Thursday urged the corporation to immediately clear pending payments, claiming that bills for completed works have remained unpaid for nearly two years, pushing many contractors into severe financial distress.
A delegation of the Contractors’ Association submitted a memorandum to the Managing Director of TSECL, highlighting the hardships faced by contractors due to prolonged delays in payment. The association said members had completed several electricity infrastructure and development projects across the state over the past two years, but their legitimate dues are yet to be released.
According to the association, the delay in payment has created a serious financial crisis, making it difficult for contractors to pay workers’ wages, clear outstanding dues to suppliers and vendors, and meet day-to-day operational expenses. Many contractors have reportedly borrowed heavily to continue work and are now struggling under mounting debt.
During the meeting with the Managing Director, the association demanded the immediate clearance of all pending bills and called for a transparent and time-bound mechanism to ensure timely settlement of future payments. Representatives also urged the corporation to address operational difficulties faced by contractors without further delay so that development work is not hampered.
The contractors warned that the ongoing financial uncertainty is affecting not only their businesses but could also have a wider impact on the implementation of electricity infrastructure projects across Tripura. They said delays in releasing payments may slow down ongoing works and discourage contractors from participating in future government projects.
The association expressed hope that the TSECL management would take immediate steps to resolve the issue and release the outstanding dues at the earliest. However, members cautioned that if their demands continue to be ignored, they would be left with no option but to launch a larger democratic agitation to press for their rights.
The memorandum calls for urgent intervention by the corporation to restore the financial stability of contractors and ensure the uninterrupted execution of power infrastructure projects, which are vital for strengthening electricity services and supporting the state’s overall development.
