Mar 04, 2017: CPIM controlled Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) put emphasis on welfare and livelihood of tribal people of the State. On the first day of two-day TTAADC budget session Chief Executive Member (CEM) Radha Charan Debbarma presented Rs 667 crore 16 lakh 64 thousand budget for the 2017-18 Financial Year. “There is a 19.44% hike in allocation in Budget 2017-18”, said CEM. Moreover, the ADC will also receive Rs 258 crore 78 lakh 95 thousand from the Central Government directly for several schemes.
Emphasizing tribal welfare related issues, CEM proposed to bring 13 thousand tribal families under coverage of Rubber Cultivation to ensure livelihood of poor tribal people. Budget laid emphasis on malnutrition among tribal children and for this purpose he said, “To address mal-nutrition problem, affected children and their mothers will be admitted in Hospitals for one month and be provided with nutritious foods. Moreover, during her stay at Hospital, each mother will receive Rs 100 per day”. He further stated, Rs 40 lakhs have been earmarked for development of Khumlung Kherengbari Hospital.
He announced financial assistance to ST students opting for higher education in IIT and JNU like institutions. He said, one time financial assistance of Rs 1 Lakh will be provided to ST students those will get a chance for higher studies in IITs while for studying in JNU like universities, ST students will get one time assistance of Rs 50 thousand. A coaching center will be set up at ADC Head Quarter Khumlung to train educated youths for competitive examinations.
Presenting the ADC Budget, CEM said, focus of 2017-18 Budget is on education, agriculture, Animal Resource development, connectivity, drinking water, social education and social welfare and creating job opportunities for unemployed youth through self-reliance.
On direct central funding to ADC for several projects, CEM Radha Charan Debbarma said, Rs 23009.30 amount will be available to implement MNREGA while Rs 1958.30 will be available for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan from the Central Government.
Specifying the task, CEM said Electricity facility has not reached in 343 villages and drinking water is yet to be available in 182 villages under TTAADC. He added steps will be taken to expand these services in these villages during 2017-18 financial year.
However, CEM expressed anguish over non-allocation of funds by the Central Government for SC/ST Sub Plan. “The Central Government has slashed allocation under sub-plans which will put hurdles in developmental initiatives in tribal areas”, he lamented.
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