Placed Tripura’s demand before 16th Finance Commission delegation, informed how 14th Finance Commission deprived us: Tripura CM Manik Saha

Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma met the Finance Commission delegation Thursday. The tribal party requested direct funding for TTAADC through the Finance Commission, which is responsible for recommending the distribution of central taxes and grants between the Union and the states under Article 280 of the Constitution.

“Sixty-eight per cent of Tripura is ADC area but financially 1.7 per cent of the budget comes for the tribal council. We have placed our demands before the Commission. Now let us see what the Commission recommends,” Pradyot Kishore had said.

Meanwhile, the chief minister said his government placed demands for tax devolution and financial allocation along the lines of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ – BJP’s political slogan – and added that the demands were formulated based on the needs of common people, working-class people, government employees, etc.

“We want Viksit Tripura by 2047, just like PM Modi wants Viksit Bharat. We have placed our demands based on socio-economic developmental requirements before the Finance Commission,” CM Saha said.

He explained that the state government’s demands for financial allocation were based on ground realities like the Rs 15,000 crore loss incurred during the devastating floods last year.

CM Saha also said the 14th Finance Commission had deprived Tripura and added that all the details were shared with the visiting team.

“We have placed before the Finance Commission why we could not pay Dearness Allowance, how the 14th Finance Commission deprived us, we have apprised them of these. We have sought infrastructure development… We have placed our issues before them. And they have appreciated the way we have run finance in a disciplined manner. It is not like we do whatever we wish, otherwise it may lead to bankruptcy. We have 73 per cent reserve forest cover in Tripura, we have less plain land. We could not bring huge industries. So, we have said that since we can absorb CO2, we have sought 20 per cent devolution of taxes (in the forests and ecology category),” the CM said.

Briefing media persons after the customary visit to Tripura Thursday, Panagariya said, “We had detailed meetings with the Government of Tripura including the chief minister, finance minister, cabinet ministers, and secretaries of different departments. We have been given a detailed presentation of close to a hundred slides by the finance secretary. We had some queries; we have received their response. The CM had made concluding remarks. Based on the presentation and discussions, we find that the state’s financial condition is sound. Debt is on the decline, committed expenditure is also reducing. This indicates sound financial management.”

He also said that Tripura has been transitioning from agriculture to industry, services, etc.

While stating that it would be premature to comment on the formula to be adopted for Tripura in the Finance Commission’s recommendations, the chairman said debt and committed expenditure in the state have reduced.