By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 10, 2023
Agartala, July 10 (FD) Leader of the opposition and a legislator of Tipra Motha today heavily came down on the state government allegedly for neglecting the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and for allocation of meager amount in the budget.
Addressing a press conference, Debbarma said only 2.07% fund of the state budget was sanctioned for the tribal council, which is home to one third of the state’s population.
“Now we need to develop infrastructure in the council areas like schools, hospitals, but such poor allocation of budget for the 2023-24 Financial Years will not help build these institutions. The tribal council is responsible for local governance, and for the past two years, we have been highlighting the financial deprivation faced by the TTAADC. Approximately 35% of the population resides in the TTAADC, and accordingly, around 35% of funds should be allocated to support its development. However, this year the state government has only allocated Rs 672 crores, which amounts to a mere 2.7% of the total budget of Rs 27,654.4 crores”, he told reporters.
He further mentioned that the state government officials have been questioning the lack of progress in the TTAADC and accusing the district council administration of widespread corruption.
“Without sufficient funds, how can corruption take place? Out of the Rs 672 crores budget, Rs 580 crores will be allocated for salaries and pensions, leaving a meager Rs 92 crores for development. We have 25 departments and even if we allocate Rs 1 crore to each department, that amounts to only Rs 25 crores. Moreover, we have to maintain 1183 km of roads, for which the government has allocated a mere Rs 5 crore under the Public Works Department (PWD). How are we supposed to accomplish this?”, he added.
He also termed the budget as ‘aimless and vacuous’, which holds nothing for the Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas and its people.
Debbarma also expressed his dismay alleging that 20% of the allocations made last year have not yet been paid up as yet.
He alleged that even as many tribal youths were imparted training for skill development 70% of the youths is still jobless.
The leader of the opposition alleged that it is virtually impossible for the poor tribals to bear hefty amounts for admission and running educational expenditure in ‘Vidyajyoti’ schools and otherwise it emerged as a major ploy for earning money by the state government. FD JK