Correspondent
Agartala, July 19, 2023: In a groundbreaking move, Tripura has allocated nearly 40 percent of its state budget to the development and welfare of indigenous people, marking a historic moment for the region. Senior BJP leader and Power minister, Ratan Lal Nath, proudly announced this significant step during a press conference held at the BJP state headquarters in Agartala.
Addressing the press, Minister Ratan Lal Nath dismissed allegations made by the opposition TIPRA Motha party, calling them "ill-informed and hypocritical." He expressed concern that some simple tribal people were being misled, and the opposition lacked constructive engagement in the assembly.
The total net outlay for the state budget is set at Rs 27,654.44 crores, with Rs 13,568.02 crores designated for various expenses like salaries, wages, loan repayments, interest payments, pensions, and other retirement benefits. A substantial portion of Rs 14,086.42 crores is dedicated to development initiatives.
Remarkably, a significant share of Rs 5,608.72 crores will be utilized for tribal sub-plan development, constituting an impressive 39.81% of the budget. Furthermore, 17% of the allocation, which amounts to Rs 2,163.16 crore, is earmarked for scheduled caste communities, as outlined in statement VIII of the Budget At A Glance.
Highlighting the achievements of the BJP government, Minister Ratan Lal emphasized that in 2018-2019, 38.40% of the budget was allocated to ADC (Autonomous District Council) and tribal development, a figure that increased to 39.52% in 2019-2020. He proudly noted that consistently, more than 31% of the allocation has been dedicated to tribal development, surpassing the actual tribal population's size.
In terms of empowering backward tribal communities, Ratan Lal drew attention to the pending 125th amendment aimed at increasing ADCs' power based on the 6th schedule in Rajya Sabha. He assured support for proposals that prioritize tribal interests, such as the establishment of Village and Town committees and granting land allottees the right to sell their land. Despite opposition from the Assam government, he expressed optimism for a resolution in the near future. Additionally, the state government showed its support by agreeing to rename ADC as 'Tipra Territorial Council.'
This bold step by the Tripura government showcases a strong commitment to uplifting indigenous communities and fostering overall development in the region. With such a substantial allocation of resources, the state is poised to make significant progress in creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its residents.