The Budget session in Tripura’s Assembly entered its second day on Monday with intense discussions on the Budget proposals. Two Bills were cleared today.
Unlike the preceding day, the atmosphere remained peaceful in the House during the session.
During this session, two crucial Bills were presented for consideration in the House.
These bills were titled “The Tripura Repealing and Saving (Amendment) Bill, 2023” and the “Tripura State Goods and Services Tax (6th Amendment) Bill, 2023.”
Both Bills received unanimous approval through a Voice Vote.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha tabled four papers in the House. These included the “Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission for the year 2022,” the “Maharaja Bir Bikram University First Regulations, 2018 (3rd Amendment),” the “Tripura Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023,” and the “Annual Reports of the Tripura Forest Development and Plantation Corporation Ltd. for the year 2018-19 and 2019-20.”
Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury also presented the Annual Reports of the Tourism Development Corporation Ltd for the years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 during today’s session.
At the commencement of the session, CPIM MLA Dipankar Sen sought the Speaker’s permission to move an adjournment motion regarding the Rath Tragedy in Kumarghat.
However, the Speaker declined the motion.
Opposition leader Animesh Debbarma then demanded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each for the families of the deceased individuals.
CPIM leaders additionally called for an investigation of the tragedy by a sitting Judge of the High Court.
Following these events, the Question-Answer session began, with ruling BJP MLAs and members from opposition parties such as TIPRA Motha, CPIM, and Congress raising questions.
In some cases, supplementary questions were also posed.
The Chief Minister, who also serves as the Home Minister, responded to queries related to law and order, health, and public works.
A majority of the questions focused on improving road connectivity.
In the latter half of the session, a general discussion on the Budget ensued with Opposition leader Animesh Debbarma.
He criticized the Budget, stating that it lacked a clear direction.
Debbarma expressed disappointment over the absence of provisions for unemployed youth, government employees, Primitive Tribal Group (PTG), and Jhumia in the Budget.
He also criticized the allocation of only 2.7 percent of the total outlay for the development of 35 percent of the population.
Ruling party MLAs, including Ranjit Das and Shambhu Lal Chakma, actively participated in the discussion, praising the Budget and highlighting its benefits for all sections of society.
Chakma specifically mentioned proposals related to Artificial Intelligence, considering them a unique and progressive step.
Joining the discussion, CPIM MLA Jitendra Choudhury criticized the Budget for lacking direction and being unfavorable to unemployed youth, the general populace, and farmers.
