Tripura Finance Minister has urged the 16th Finance Commission to provide a special grant for ADC infrastructure, seek funds for transport, ecology, MSMEs, and border security, and address trade setbacks with Bangladesh, aiming for inclusive growth and socio-economic upliftment in the state’s tribal and border regions.
Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy has formally urged the 16th Finance Commission to provide targeted financial support for addressing the state’s infrastructure deficits, with a particular focus on the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
The appeal was made during a high-level consultation meeting organized by the 16th Finance Commission in New Delhi, where representatives from North Eastern states presented their respective concerns and demands. Representing Tripura, Singha Roy outlined the pressing need for infrastructural enhancement, social upliftment, and economic resilience, especially in the tribal council regions.
Special Grant Sought for TTAADC Development
Singha Roy emphasized the state’s longstanding demand for a special grant dedicated to strengthening the infrastructure within TTAADC areas. He highlighted the socio-economic backwardness and underdevelopment prevalent in these tribal belts, which require focused and sustained intervention. The proposed special grant, he asserted, would help bridge regional disparities and create new opportunities for growth and inclusion.
Monsoon Disruptions and Transport Deficits
Underscoring the critical condition of the state’s connectivity, the Minister pointed out that road and rail links often suffer severe disruptions during the monsoon season. Such disruptions, he explained, significantly affect the movement of goods and people, delaying economic activity and vital public services. Additional funds were sought for upgrading transport infrastructure, particularly in the interior tribal regions.
Focus on Forestry, Ecology, and Sustainable Sectors
In line with Tripura’s ecological priorities, the Finance Minister proposed that 20% of the overall allocation be earmarked for forestry and ecological conservation. These sectors, he noted, hold immense environmental and economic potential for the state and must be developed through focused investment.
Singha Roy also appealed for special financial packages aimed at supporting key sustainable sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, MSMEs, and tourism. Given Tripura’s abundant natural resources and cultural heritage, these sectors are seen as vital pillars of future economic development.
Demand for Special Infrastructure and Fishery Funds
The Minister called for the creation of a Special Infrastructure Fund to address the state’s unique development challenges, especially in hilly and remote tribal regions. He also made a separate request for a dedicated fishery infrastructure fund to enhance fish production and improve the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
Security and Border Vigilance
Shifting focus to national security concerns, Singha Roy raised alarm over the growing drug trafficking problem in the state, particularly along the porous international border. He urged the Finance Commission to provide support for increasing police deployment and improving surveillance infrastructure in border areas.
Trade Ties with Bangladesh and Revenue Concerns
Tripura’s economic dependency on cross-border trade with Bangladesh was also brought to the forefront. The Minister noted that the current political instability in Bangladesh has had a detrimental impact on exports, trade volume, and the growing medical tourism industry that the state had begun to cultivate.
Given these external factors, he urged the Commission to consider the broader context of Tripura’s revenue generation challenges and extend adequate financial assistance to help mitigate the shortfall. He emphasized that without such support, the state’s development trajectory could face serious setbacks.
Final Plea for Sympathetic Consideration
Wrapping up his presentation, the Finance Minister urged the 16th Finance Commission to take a sympathetic and strategic view of Tripura’s multifaceted development needs. He requested that the Commission’s final recommendations reflect the ground realities and prioritize financial inclusivity for backward regions like the TTAADC.
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A press release issued by the Finance Department of Tripura confirmed the key demands made and reiterated the state’s commitment to inclusive growth, regional stability, and sustainable development.
