Tripura RS MP from CPI(M) demands provision of extra allocation in central budget

Agartala, Feb 11 (Agency) Rajya Sabha MP of CPI-M from Tripura Jharna Das Baidya on Friday demanded an extra allocation for Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) and to introduce a special scheme for Tripura Tea Workers while speaking on the central budget in the upper house of Parliament. She alleged that the budget has proposed nothing for the development and welfare schemes for Tripura and said, “Special aid to ADC will bring parity in the development index of the state and push holistic development, as BJP led government in the state has totally failed to keep its promise of progress. Similarly, the workers of 58 tea estates of Tripura have been facing multiple crises.

Despite having tremendous potential, the tea industry in the state has been suffering from negligence.” Criticising the budget she alleged that there was nothing for the development of rural India rather efforts have been made to provide maximum benefit to the corporate conglomerates and economically rich businessmen. The budget has reduced the allocation of ICDS, Mid-day-meal workers and ASHA workers who have been serving the people at grass-root level. “The allocation of MGNREGA has been cut down by 41 percent from the last year’s revised budget and indicated a nominal increase in the allocation of National Health Mission.

Allocation of the schemes which help the boosting of rural economy, basic sectors like health, education and social welfare has been neglected in the proposed budget. There was no reflection in the announcement of a special initiative for Atmanirbhar Bharat and attaining a five trillion economy rather than making an attempt befooling the people,” she added. This seems to be the last Parliament session of Jharna Das Baidya who was elected on April 3, 2010 and her second tenure is going to be over next month. The ruling BJP in the state has been in the process of electing their representative first time in Rajya Sabha where incumbent Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb is appeared to be the contender among other following defection of two senior and influential MLAs – Sudip Roybarman and Ashis Kumar Saha in Congress.

Criticising the BJP-IPFT government in Tripura, Baidya alleged that BJP had promised to give jobs on ‘missed call’ to a particular number and assured employment to 50,000 people every year but in last four years not even one percent of the commitment was fulfilled. They won the election by promising to increase the daily wages to MGNREGA Rs 340, rising social security alliances to Rs 2000 and many more but not a single promise has been rewarded instead a reign of terror and violence have been unleashed on the people of Tripura whoever speaking against the government, she added.