The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has released a fresh memorandum announcing Amendment-I and multiple additional provisions to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for smart metering in prepaid mode. This update follows the earlier memorandum dated 31 May 2025 and aims to bring more clarity, transparency, and uniformity to prepaid billing and recovery processes.
Major Amendment to Recovery Process
The corporation has made a significant change to Clause 4.2 regarding recovery of outstanding dues.
The earlier clause allowed arrears to be recovered through a monthly scheduled deduction capped at 20% of the average billing for the last three months.
This has now been replaced with a clearer and more straightforward mechanism:
“Outstanding dues/arrears shall be recovered @20% of each recharge amount until the total arrears are fully recovered.”
This change simplifies the recovery method and ensures uniform deduction directly at the time of recharge.
New Provisions Added to the SOP
1. Prepaid Billing Components
The memorandum introduces several billing-related provisions for prepaid consumers:
- Energy Charges, Fixed Charges, and Meter Rent will continue as per the latest Tariff Order issued by the Regulatory Authority.
- Electricity Duty:
- 5% for Domestic consumers
- 7.5% for Non-Domestic consumers
- Exemptions:
- Kutir Jyoti consumers
- Domestic consumers with monthly bills not exceeding ₹400
- Rebates:
- 3% monthly rebate on reconciled billing amount
- Additional 1% instant rebate on every online/digital recharge
- Other billing components such as Government Subsidy and FPPCA (Fuel & Power Purchase Cost Adjustment) will apply as per prevailing norms.
2. Employee Incentives for TPGL/TSECL/TPTL/TERC
TSECL has notified a special 5% monthly rebate (up to 400 units) for employees of TPGL, TSECL, TPTL, TERC, TREDA, and deputed employees in the power sector, provided the electricity connection is in the employee’s name.
Two billing cases are outlined:
- Case A: Monthly consumption below 400 units → 5% rebate on energy charges
- Case B: Consumption above 400 units → Rebate capped at 5% on the first 400 units
The rebate will be credited in subsequent billing cycles.
3. Kutir Jyoti Tariff Clarification
The revised memorandum states that Slab-1 tariff (up to 50 units) will apply only after the consumer has exhausted the initial 15 units, which are evaluated based on the daily consumption formula.
4. Prepaid Billing in Non-Communication Meter Situations
If a smart meter temporarily stops communicating, billing will continue based on:
- Fixed Charges
- Meter Rent
- Other applicable billing components
Once communication resumes, reconciliation of energy charges will be carried out.
5. Handling of Defective/Stopped/Burnt Meters
For meters that are defective, stopped, or burnt:
- Billing will be based on the average consumption of the previous three billing cycles.
- This can apply for a maximum of three months, as per the Electricity Supply Code Regulation (2011) with amendments, during which the licensee must replace the meter.
6. Rebate on Conversion from Postpaid to Prepaid
Consumers shifting from postpaid to prepaid will receive the applicable rebate after monthly bill reconciliation.
The rebate will appear as a credit balance in the consumer’s prepaid account in the following month.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- TSECL introduces a 20% direct recharge-based arrear recovery system.
- New billing structure with rebates, duty exemptions, and digital recharge incentives.
- Special employee rebate scheme capped at 400 units per month.
- Clear provisions for non-communicating meters and defective meters.
- Rebates for postpaid-to-prepaid conversion to be auto-credited.