Minister Flags Irregularities in Bishalgarh Block
Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday alleged large-scale corruption in the implementation of the MGNREGA scheme during the previous Left Front government. He claimed that authorities detected financial irregularities amounting to ₹17 crore in the Bishalgarh block alone.
Addressing a press conference, Nath said the government registered a case against 12 individuals, including the then Block Development Officer (BDO) Bimal Chakraborty. He added that the case is currently pending before the Tripura High Court.
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Opposition Accused of Spreading Confusion
The minister accused opposition parties of misleading the public regarding the newly launched Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G). He claimed the opposition had lost its political credibility and now relied on “false and confusing statements” to misguide people.
“They have no real political weapon left,” Nath said, while defending the objectives and structure of the new mission.
VB-G RAM G Termed Major Reform
Nath described VB-G RAM G as a significant improvement over the existing MGNREGA framework. He said the new mission focuses on transparency, accountability, and long-term rural development.
Key features of the scheme include an increase in guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 per year. The mission also introduces stronger planning mechanisms and monitoring systems. According to the minister, the scheme prioritizes the creation of productive assets to strengthen the rural economy.
He said the initiative aims to boost household incomes and improve resilience against natural disasters and financial crises.
Central Allocation to Tripura Set to Rise
The agriculture minister said the Centre’s allocation to Tripura under the new scheme would nearly double compared to previous levels. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for enhancing financial support to the state.
Nath said the increased allocation reflects the Centre’s commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods in Tripura.
NDA Spending Far Higher Than UPA: Nath
Highlighting national-level expenditure figures, Nath said the UPA government spent ₹2.13 lakh crore on MGNREGA during its tenure. In contrast, expenditure under the NDA government between 2015 and 2025 rose sharply to nearly ₹7.8 lakh crore.
“This clearly proves that the NDA government has taken consistent and positive steps for rural development,” he said.
Tripura Received Higher Funds Under NDA
Nath also compared fund allocation trends in Tripura. He said the state received ₹7,801 crore from the Centre for MGNREGA over the past seven years. During the last seven years of the Left government, the allocation stood at ₹6,490 crore.
According to official figures cited by the minister, wages paid to rural workers during the NDA period amounted to ₹5,332 crore. Under the previous Left regime, wage disbursement totalled ₹4,240 crore over a comparable timeframe.
Focus on Livelihoods and Infrastructure
The minister said the new mission would place special emphasis on water conservation, rural infrastructure, and sustainable livelihoods. He added that the government has introduced strict safeguards to prevent delays in wage payments, a recurring issue under the earlier framework.
Nath claimed that corruption and mismanagement plagued MGNREGA since the UPA era. He said the purpose of the new mission is to eliminate leakages, ensure transparency, and create more employment opportunities in rural areas.
Call for Stronger, Corruption-Free Villages
Concluding his remarks, Nath said the government aims to build stronger villages through accountable governance and inclusive growth. “This mission will ensure honest implementation, more workdays, timely wages, and real development at the grassroots,” he asserted.