Congress Accuses BJP Government in Tripura of Giving Empty Promises

Agartala, Jan 14, 2025, By Our Correspondent49

The Tripura Pradesh Congress launched a scathing critique of the BJP-led state government, accusing it of making empty promises and failing to deliver meaningful progress in its seven-year tenure. Speaking at the Pradesh Congress headquarters on Tuesday, spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty highlighted a series of grievances, questioning the government's achievements during this period.

Chakraborty alleged that the "double-engine government" had failed to meet its pre-election commitments, including the 299 promises made by BJP leaders. Despite assurances of ushering in a "diamond era" (HIRA) with financial assistance from the Centre, the state’s debt had reportedly risen sharply from ₹11,851 crore in 2018 to ₹26,446 crore in 2024. “The people are left wondering where all this money has gone,” he said.

Key Allegations Raised

1. Public Sector Neglect:

   • Teachers and employees remain without central salary scales.
   • Irregular employees have not been regularized, and dearness allowances are inconsistently paid.
   • Social allowances have been disrupted, with over 40,000 individuals excluded and 60,000 eligible beneficiaries left out.

2. Employment and Livelihoods:

   • MNREGA workdays have dropped to 30-32 days, with no corresponding wage increase.
   • New job appointments are scarce, and existing vacancies are being eliminated.
   • Contract workers and sanitation employees are not receiving regular wages.

3. Infrastructure and Services:

   • Promises of AIIMS and other healthcare facilities remain unfulfilled.
   • Schools are being closed, and no significant development in roads, bridges, or hospitals has occurred.
   • Allegations of corruption and poor-quality construction plague infrastructure projects.

Flood Management and Financial Aid

Chakraborty criticized the government's response to the catastrophic August 2024 floods, which affected over 17 lakh people and caused losses exceeding ₹15,000 crore. Despite opposition demands to declare it a national disaster, the state only sought ₹7,083.55 crore for infrastructure repairs. He noted discrepancies between state and central government figures on flood-related damages.

Cogress' Statistics

• Wages: According to RBI data, daily earnings for workers in Tripura lag behind other states. A male construction worker earns ₹322.20 per day, significantly lower than in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Health: The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reported anaemia rates of 64.3% among children (6-59 months) and 61.5% among women (15-49 years), among the highest in India.
• Unemployment: The unemployment rate has climbed to 14.5%, and agricultural output continues to decline. Over 92,000 young people have left the state in search of work, and 1,226 workers have lost their jobs under the current government.

Chakraborty urged Tripura's citizens to rise against what he termed "misgovernance" and "misrule" by the BJP-led government. He encouraged them to hold the administration accountable and demand better governance for the state's future.