Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Association (CPA), Agartala organised a media workshop to discuss the electricity issues in Tripura, as part of the project "Accelerating Clean Energy Transition by Improving Stakeholder Participation for Electricity Governance in India". The event was held on 28 November 2024 at Agartala Press Club, Tripura.
The programme saw speakers such as Mr.Abhishek Singh, IAS, Secretary, Dept of Power, Govt of Tripura and a written message from Mr.Ratan Lal Nath, Minister for Power, Government of Tripura. 35 participants from representatives of voluntary organizations, self-help groups, domestic consumers and representatives from the media participated in the workshop.
Mr.Amrit Lal Saha, during his welcome speech
.Mr.Amrit Lal Saha, President, CPA, welcomed the participants and briefly introduced the workshop’s objectives. He explained that CPA has been working since March 2024 to create awareness on clean energy transition through proper stakeholder participation. CPA has been organising meetings every month in all the districts of Tripura. This project has highlighted many important issues within the Tripura electricity sector. The CPA has engaged in one-on-one discussions with officials and regulatory authorities to ensure that consumer interests are protected.
Mr.George Cheriyan, during his welcome speech
Mr.George Cheriyan, Working President, CPA, gave a detailed comparison of the state electricity scenario compared with states such as Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. He also mentioned that Tripura is a state that has not witnessed projects or programmes on the subject of electricity. CPA in association with CAG presented the project’s objectives and outcomes. Mr.D.Radhakrishnan, former Chairman, Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission expressed his appreciation for the work and offered his support in all possible ways.
Mr.Ratan Lal Nath, Minister for Power, Government of Tripura who could not attend the seminar sent a message emphasising the need for a rapid transition to clean energy. Further, he applauded the organisers for initiating this project in Tripura. He also highlighted Tripura’s ambitious Energy Vision 2030 Roadmap, launched in July 2023, which focuses on sustainable energy solutions with affordability, availability, and reliability at its core.
Mr.Abhishek Singh, IAS, during his presentation
Mr.Abhishek Singh, IAS, Secretary, Dept of Power, Govt of Tripura who was the Chief Guest, stressed the critical role of clean energy in environmental sustainability and development. “Growing access to electricity is a key index of progress for both the state and the country,” Mr.Singh noted. He elaborated on the need to expedite the move away from fossil fuels and align with global efforts towards clean energy. He emphasized that such workshops play a crucial role in educating the public about sustainable energy practices.The media workshop was a significant step towards promoting sustainable energy practices in Tripura.
Mr.Kirubakaran,during his presentation
Mr.Kirubakaran, Researcher, CAG explained about the activities carried out by CAG in Tripura, especially with regard to clean energy transition through capacity building programs, seminars on energy conservation, renewable energy and, local electricity forum meetings. He also presented the detailed energy audit findings of the three tea factories run by the Workers Co-operative Society in Tripura.
Participants from the meeting
The workshop concluded with a question-and-answer session, fostering dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in clean energy adoption.
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