Tripura: Congress calls for direct funding from Centre for development of tribal areas

The Congress party has called for direct funding from the Centre to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) for the development of the tribal people.

"We are demanding for direct funding from the Centre but the state government becomes a hurdle in the process as it stops funds, which hampers the development activities. Around 80 percent of the tribal population of Tripura is deprived of clean drinking water. Thousands of crores are being spent but the tribals are not getting anything," Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Birijit Sinha said.

"The TTAADC should be given more power, but it is very unfortunate that in spite of the Left Front being in power for 23 years, the tribals are today deprived."

Sinha further alleged that the deprivation experienced by the tribals had pushed them towards engaging in separatist movements.

He also raised the issue of chit fund and demanded that the state government should take initiative in returning the money of those duped.

The TTAADC elections are scheduled to be held on May 3, with 758,554 voters eligible to exercise their democratic right.

Of the 30 seats, 28 are filled through direct elections out of which 27 are reserved for tribal, while two members are nominated by the government.