Correspondent
July 21, 2023: Animesh Debbarma, the leader of the opposition in Tripura, has launched a scathing critique against the ruling BJP-led government in the state, accusing them of misrepresenting budgetary allocations and lacking transparency in fund distribution to the Tripura Autonomous District Council (ADC) and tribal communities.
Speaking at a press conference in the state assembly on Friday, Debbarma expressed doubts about the figures presented by the government, which claimed that nearly 40 percent of the development fund would be allocated to the tribal population. He alleged that these figures were not officially presented during the Assembly session, raising suspicions of an attempt to deceive the public.
Debbarma questioned why the government withheld this vital information during the session and ignored concerns raised by other parties, such as TIPRA Motha and CPIM legislators.
As a prominent leader of the TIPRA Motha Party, he also voiced concerns about the allocation of funds for the tribal communities. According to him, if 39 percent of the budget is indeed dedicated to the tribes, it would likely lead to reduced funds for other communities, including UR (Upper Castes), SC (Scheduled Castes), and OBC (Other Backward Classes), depriving them over time. Debbarma suggested a more balanced approach, advocating for funds to be allocated proportionately to each population group, which would be around 31 percent in the case of tribal communities.
Emphasizing the significance of the Tripura ADC, established in 1985 to promote development in tribal regions, Debbarma stressed that funds intended for tribal welfare should be appropriately directed to the tribal council for targeted development initiatives.
However, he revealed that the funds allocated to the ADC are insufficient, with only 2.7 percent of the overall budget being allotted to the council. Debbarma sees this as clear evidence of the government's lack of commitment to tribal development.
Furthermore, he accused the state government of financial misappropriation and failure to provide utilization certificates for the work carried out by the tribal council. Debbarma cited a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), indicating pending utilization certificates of Rs. 263.23 crore since 2020-21, including outstanding UCs amounting to Rs. 79.8 crore in 2020-21 and Rs. 184.15 crore in 2021-22.
To address these concerns and reveal the truth, Debbarma demanded a thorough investigation into the state government's actions related to tribal welfare since 2018 and urged the publication of a white paper.
He also raised questions about the allocation and utilization of Rs. 1300 crores promised by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her previous visit to Tripura for tribal development, seeking accountability for the funds.
Debbarma criticized the state government's alleged lack of genuine commitment to uplifting the tribal communities, accusing them of making empty promises and showing political hypocrisy.
Furthermore, the opposition leader expressed strong condemnation for the recent incident of two women being paraded naked and gang-raped, as well as the ongoing communal violence in the state. He expressed surprise and disappointment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained silent on the matter, and the state government failed to take effective measures to stop the violence.
Debbarma's critique highlights the need for accountability, transparency, and fair distribution of funds to ensure the well-being and development of all communities, particularly the tribal population, in Tripura. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the state government will respond to these serious allegations and address the pressing concerns raised by the opposition leader.