Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury strongly refuted allegations made by former Chief Minister and CPM Politburo member Manik Sarkar regarding alleged extravagant expenditures during Promo Fest-2024.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Chowdhury dismissed Sarkar’s claims as baseless and politically motivated. Sarkar had earlier alleged that crores of rupees were being spent on events like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Promo Fest-2024, citing an unverified claim that Rs. 7 crore was spent on a single musical concert at Swami Vivekananda Maidan.
The Tourism Minister countered by challenging Sarkar to provide evidence for his assertions. He clarified that the total expenditure for Promo Fest-2024 was estimated to be no more than Rs. 1.5 crore, with significant financial support from the central government, which contributes Rs. 80 lakh annually for festivals and fairs.
Chowdhury highlighted the success of Promo Fest-2024, which has received widespread public acclaim. He accused the opposition of being unable to accept the event’s popularity and alleged that even some opposition members had sought passes for their families to attend.
Drawing comparisons with the Left Front regime, Chowdhury claimed the previous government lacked any vision for promoting tourism. “During the Left era, the Tourism department barely existed. It was used as a platform for party propaganda through cultural programs, with no efforts to enhance the state’s tourism potential,” he said.
The Minister further criticized the CPM for failing to create a conducive environment for tourism development in Tripura, contrasting this with the current government’s proactive initiatives to boost the sector.
Looking ahead, Chowdhury announced that the Promo Fest would be organized on an even larger scale next year, aiming to attract more visitors and showcase Tripura’s rich cultural heritage.
This exchange highlights the ongoing political rivalry as the state government pushes for development while countering opposition critiques.
