Tripura supplies power to Bangladesh through Delhi-based NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited.
Bangladesh owes Rs 161 crore to Tripura in power dues, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said in Agartala on Monday. Tripura supplies 60-70 megawatts of power to the neighbouring country as per an agreement signed through Delhi-based NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited.
“We give 60-70 MW of power to Bangladesh based on an agreement. We give power to them based on their requirement but we have never provided below 60 megawatt. Earlier, the power dues of Bangladesh were Rs 135 crore and currently they are Rs 161 crore,” Nath told reporters.
Nath said the state could talk to the other side only through NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited. “We have spoken to Vidyut Vyapar Nigam about the payment. We don’t know if they have asked (Bangladesh) for it,” the minister added.
The minister’s comments follow a series of protests against the recent insult of the Indian national flag in Bangladesh. One of these protests led to the breach of security in front of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission at Agartala. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed regret over the vandalism and the activities of the Bangladesh visa office in Tripura were subsequently closed, even as barbs continue to be exchanged from both sides of the border.
