In a shocking revelation, the proposed state budget for the financial year 2023-24 has raised concerns about the lack of development in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The budget, totaling a staggering Rs 27,654.40 crore, only allocates a mere Rs 672.64 crore for the 35 percent of people residing in TTAADC. This amounts to a meager 2.43 percent of the total budget or a paltry 2.43 rupees per hundred.
Disturbingly, a significant portion of the allocated funds, approximately 580 crore rupees, will be used for the regular salary and pension gratuity of deputed staff and employees. Additionally, a mere 23 different schemes will receive funding, including various projects for boilers, goats, fish, and planting. However, it is questionable whether this limited amount of funding can truly drive development in the remaining 68 percent of the state.
The dire state of infrastructure is evident as well. With a mere allocation of 5 crore rupees to the Public Works Department (PWD) for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in vast areas, it raises doubts about the feasibility of effectively addressing the road infrastructure needs.
Education, an essential pillar of development, seems to be severely neglected. With approximately 1634 schools in the TTAADC area, only 1.35 crore rupees have been allotted to the education department for maintenance and repairs. This meager amount raises concerns about the government’s commitment to providing quality education.
The water crisis, a persistent problem in the hill regions, is another area where the budget falls short. Surprisingly, no funds have been allocated to the Department of Water Supply (DWS) in either the ADC or state budget to tackle the pressing issue of drinking water scarcity. It is puzzling that the state government’s DWS department has ample funds, while the ADC’s efforts to address this crucial problem are hindered by financial constraints.
Tragically, preventable diseases such as malaria and diarrhea continue to claim lives in remote areas like Longtrai and Gandhatuisha, where medical treatment is lacking. Shockingly, a meager 30 lakh rupees have been allocated to the health department of the ADC in this year’s state budget. This minimal amount raises concerns among conscious citizens about the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the people.
It is evident that the ADC needs significant development in order for the state to progress as a whole. Only then can true overall development be achieved. The glaring disparities in the allocation of funds highlight the urgent need for the government to address these issues and ensure equitable distribution of resources for the betterment of all citizens.
