Criticizing the ruling BJP government for its insufficient allocation of funds to support overall development, Animesh Debbarma, the Leader of Opposition and Tipra Motha MLA, expressed disappointment over the neglect of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in the state's budget for the 2023-24 Financial Year. In a press conference, Debbarma highlighted the necessity of a higher capital budget to facilitate the growth of crucial infrastructure, including hospitals and schools.
Debbarma firmly asserted that the TTAADC, responsible for local governance, has been facing financial deprivation, a matter they have been consistently raising for the past two years. With approximately 35% of the population residing in the TTAADC, Debbarma emphasized that around 35% of the funds should be allocated to support its development. However, he lamented that the state government had only allocated Rs 672 crores this year, which amounts to a mere 2.7% of the total budget of Rs 27,654.4 crores.
Furthermore, Debbarma countered the government's accusations of corruption within the TTAADC administration by questioning the feasibility of corruption in the absence of adequate funds. He pointed out that out of the allocated budget, a substantial portion of Rs 580 crores would be used for salaries and pensions, leaving a meager Rs 92 crores for development purposes. Considering the 25 departments within the TTAADC, even if Rs 1 crore is allocated to each department, the total would amount to only Rs 25 crores. Additionally, with the responsibility of maintaining 1183 km of roads, the government's allocation of a mere Rs 5 crore under the Public Works Department (PWD) was deemed insufficient for the task at hand.
In conclusion, Debbarma called for a more substantial capital budget to be assigned to the 2023-24 Financial Year, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced financial support to foster the development and progress of the TTAADC and address the challenges faced by its administration.
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