The increased social allowances from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 as announced Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha would put an extra burden of Rs. 603.89 crore annually or Rs. 31.44 crore per month on the exchequer.
Information and Cultural Affairs Sushanta Chowdhury told media that there were total 32 allowances. Of them only three were under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and the remaining 29 were under the Tripura government.
There are total 3,18,415 beneficiaries in the state –of them 1,58,197 beneficiaries come under central schemes while the 1,60,218 are under the state’s allowances schemes, said Chowdhury adding that after BJP government came to power as many as 3,18,415 new beneficiaries were added in the list.
Despite heavy financial burden, Chowdhury said, the allowance at new rate -that is Rs 2000 per person- would be credited to the beneficiaries’ accounts from October 1 next.
Chowdhury said that the state government had also decided to give assistance to 71,017 girl children in the Financial Year 2023-24 which would mean Rs. 761.28 crore additional requirement in the Budget- including that of the hiked social allowances.
As it stands increase of the social allowances to Rs 2000 per individual turned out to be state government’s biggest schemes as far as monetary involvement- Rs 603.89 crore- was concerned. Secretary of Social Welfare and Social Education department- Abhishek Singh said initiatives were already made to ensure that the beneficiaries get the increased allowance within September 30 next.
Chowdhury said the decision on hiking the social allowance made it clear that the BJP-IPFT government was committed to fulfils its promises given during the 2018 elections.
