Union Minister Jual Oram assured full support for tribal development in Tripura, as confirmed by Minister Bikash Debbarma. The Centre and state government plan infrastructure upgrades and socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities through major projects like TRESP, enhancing education, connectivity, and livelihoods across tribal-inhabited regions.
The socio-economic progress of tribal communities in Tripura, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has pledged full support from the Centre for the development and welfare of the state’s indigenous population. This assurance was shared by Tripura’s Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma after a recent meeting with the Union Minister in New Delhi.
The meeting, described as constructive and future-oriented, focused on the challenges and opportunities related to tribal development in the state. Minister Debbarma stated that they discussed various government schemes and proposals tailored to uplift the tribal population, particularly in remote and underdeveloped areas. As part of the dialogue, Debbarma highlighted pressing issues like poor road connectivity, inadequate electric and water supply, and the need for modern educational infrastructure in tribal-inhabited regions.
According to Debbarma, Minister Oram responded positively and reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to provide all necessary help, support, and guidance for the comprehensive development of tribal areas. The Union Minister emphasized that concerted efforts were already underway to bring tribal communities into the mainstream of development, bridging historical gaps in infrastructure and access to services.
This assurance comes at a time when Tripura’s state government, led by the BJP, is taking deliberate steps to provide equal development opportunities to both tribal and non-tribal citizens. The state’s ruling party currently maintains electoral alliances with key tribal-based political outfits such as the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT). These alliances are viewed as vital for gaining political support among the tribal electorate.
The political and administrative significance of tribal regions in Tripura is considerable. The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), governed by the TMP under the leadership of Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma—a member of the former royal family—covers more than two-thirds of the state’s 10,491 square kilometre area. This region is home to approximately 1.2 million people, of which over 90 percent are from tribal communities.
Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Saha recently underscored the importance of ongoing developmental projects targeted at indigenous populations. He revealed that projects worth ₹1,400 crore, funded by the World Bank under the Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project (TRESP), are being implemented to enhance the livelihoods and living standards of tribal communities. According to CM Saha, these initiatives mark a departure from the negligence of previous administrations, which failed to adequately prioritize tribal welfare.
| Also Read: Tripura Has Adequate Stock of Essential Commodities, Says Sushanta |
The Chief Minister also issued a call to action, urging all stakeholders to unite and focus on fulfilling unfinished tasks to further the progress of the state. “We must take a pledge that the works which were not fulfilled and not done yet have to be taken up after discussion in the coming year, and we must move forward to develop the state,” said Saha.
With tribals constituting roughly one-third of Tripura’s four-million-strong population and controlling 20 of the state’s 60 Assembly seats, their role in both development and politics is indispensable. The latest assurance from the Union government reflects a strategic effort to enhance tribal welfare through coordination between the Centre and the state government.
As Tripura moves forward on the path of inclusive development, the strong emphasis on tribal progress—backed by policy support, funding, and political will—could reshape the socio-economic landscape of the region. If successfully implemented, these efforts have the potential to empower tribal communities, improve quality of life, and foster greater integration with the state’s broader developmental agenda.
