Agartala, August 30, 2025: The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) has accused the State Government of blocking funds worth more than ₹254 crore over the past five years, severely affecting recruitment and development projects in tribal areas.
Executive Member (EM) Health, Kamal Kalai, who acted as Chief Executive Member (CEM) in the absence of Purna Chandra Jamatia, raised the allegation during the one-day Council session at Kok Chap Nok (Council Bhawan), Khumulwng on Friday.
Kalai said that although the Council’s approved allocation for 2025 was ₹860 crore, only ₹518 crore was sanctioned. “Despite regular submission of Utilisation Certificates, the government has failed to ensure smooth financial flow. If we calculate since 2021, the pending amount is far more than ₹254 crore,” he claimed.
He further alleged that block funds were not being released to the Council.
Responding to queries, Kalai clarified that no recruitment was made in 2021-22, while interviews held in 2022-23 were conducted transparently through advertisement. On future hiring, he assured impartiality in the Sub Zonal and Deputy Principal Officer recruitment.
On healthcare, Kalai announced the recruitment of 145 staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and technicians, for Kherengbar Hospital, which is set to be inaugurated in October 2025.
Defending the diversion of funds from the Old Council Bhawan renovation to a Shillong hostel project, Kalai said it was “for the betterment of Tiprasa.” He explained that delays were caused by customary law procedures in Khasi Hills, though the required NOC has now been obtained and a revised DPR submitted.
He also informed that 22 out of 50 proposed Smoke Houses are either complete or underway, with ₹7 crore already spent. Agriculture EM Bhaba Ranjan Reang highlighted progress in orange, mushroom, and pineapple cultivation, construction of new market sheds worth ₹1.19 crore at 29 locations, and the distribution of power tillers.
Other announcements included the sanction of ₹1.25 crore for a Rehab Centre, which is expected to be operational by September 2025, and the completion of two cold storages at Ampi and Takarjala. The number of Village Committees has been increased from 587 to 750, while bamboo and handloom projects remain stalled due to financial constraints. Kalai also informed that no decision has yet been taken on Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) proposals.
The Council adopted a thanks motion moved by EM Rabindra Debbarma, welcoming the Supreme Court’s judgment on Village Committee elections and urging the State Government to conduct polls at the earliest. A condolence motion was also passed for late MLAs Jhumu Sarkar and Burba Mohan Tripura, late MDC Nirmal Kanti Das, and victims of recent terrorist and natural calamities.
Later, Chairman Jagadish Debbarma adjourned the session indefinitely after members demanded detailed discussion on the TTAADC (Constitution, Election and Conduct of Business) (22nd Amendment) Rules, 2025.
