Tripura Congress announces a week-long statewide dharna from August 5, demanding a white paper on government expenditure, alleging irregularities in development projects, lack of transparency, unemployment, rising prices, and poor implementation of welfare schemes, intensifying pressure on the BJP-led state government.
The Tripura Pradesh Congress has announced a week-long statewide dharna programme beginning on August 5, demanding that the BJP-led state government publish a comprehensive white paper on government expenditure. The party alleged large-scale irregularities in the implementation of development projects and accused the government of failing to maintain transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan on Monday, Congress spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty said the party would intensify its protest if the government did not disclose detailed information regarding expenditure on development works and welfare schemes. He alleged that despite repeated claims of rapid development, the government had not provided adequate public information on how taxpayers’ money was being utilized.
According to Chakraborty, the Congress believes that transparency is essential for ensuring public trust and accountability. He stated that the party would prepare a detailed charge sheet against both the state government and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) if the demand for a white paper remained unanswered.
The Congress leader alleged that several development projects across the state lacked proper monitoring and public accountability. He questioned whether funds allocated for infrastructure development, public welfare programmes, and various government schemes had been utilized effectively and in accordance with approved guidelines.
Highlighting concerns over urban transport management, Chakraborty criticized what he described as frequent policy changes affecting auto-rickshaw services in Agartala. He referred to the introduction of meter-based auto services and the implementation of colour-coded auto-rickshaws under the Agartala Municipal Corporation, alleging that these initiatives were introduced without adequate planning or consultation with stakeholders.
He also referred to the recent dispute involving auto-rickshaw drivers and Uber drivers near Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, claiming that the situation reflected poor transport management and the continued existence of an alleged syndicate system. According to the Congress, these issues have created confusion among transport workers and commuters while exposing administrative shortcomings.
Apart from infrastructure and transport concerns, the Congress accused the government of failing to address several pressing public issues. Chakraborty alleged that rising prices of essential commodities, increasing unemployment, and inadequate implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) continue to affect thousands of families across Tripura.
He argued that the government’s repeated claims of development do not match the realities experienced by ordinary citizens. According to him, people continue to face economic hardship despite official announcements highlighting progress in infrastructure and welfare initiatives.
The Congress announced that the week-long dharna will be organized across all districts of the state to raise awareness about these issues and mobilize public support. Party leaders and workers are expected to participate in demonstrations demanding greater transparency in government expenditure and improved accountability in the execution of public projects.
The protest programme is expected to focus on the party’s demand for a detailed financial disclosure covering expenditure on major development works, welfare schemes, and infrastructure projects undertaken by the state government. Congress leaders believe that such a white paper would help ensure greater public scrutiny and strengthen democratic accountability.
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As political activities intensify ahead of future electoral contests, the Congress hopes the statewide agitation will draw attention to what it describes as governance failures while urging the government to respond to public concerns through greater transparency and responsible financial management.
