Agartala (Tripura), July 6: The Tripura Tribal Employees’ Association (TUKS) has raised concerns over unresolved pension issues faced by retired employees of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), the deteriorating education scenario, and the stagnation of development initiatives in the ADC region.
In an emergency meeting convened at the conference hall of the Voluntary Health Association in Agartala, members of TUKS’s Central Executive Committee held detailed discussions on administrative issues, pending pensions and other issues.
The agenda of the meeting included:
- A discussion held on June 27, 2025, with the ADC’s Chief Executive Member, Purnachandra Jamatia, regarding pension beneficiaries.
- Development issues in the ADC area.
- The current state of regional political parties.
- The strike by tutors appointed by the ADC administration.
- Organizational activities of the association.
Presided over by TUKS president Banamali Debbarma, with Central Advisory Committee Chairman Nityananda Debbarma present as the chief guest, the meeting highlighted that since the beginning of the 2023–24 financial year, approximately 318 employees of the TTAADC have retired.
Of them, only 38 retirees have been granted approval for lump-sum commutation of up to 40% of their pension. However, the funds are yet to be released, leading to mounting anxiety among former employees and their families.
The committee also expressed alarm over the prevailing education crisis. According to TUKS, the TTAADC administration had appointed around 91 tutors to mitigate the shortage of teaching staff and maintain the functioning of schools.
However, from July 5, these tutors initiated a strike, declaring their refusal to attend school duties from Monday, July 7, onwards. The protest is expected to significantly disrupt the already strained education system within the ADC region.
In addition, TUKS leaders noted that development work in the tribal council areas has come to a virtual halt.
The agenda of the meeting also included a review of a discussion held on June 27, 2025, between the association and TTAADC Chief Executive Member, Purnachandra Jamatia, regarding unresolved pension matters. Members voiced dissatisfaction over the continued delay despite assurances given during that dialogue.
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TUKS, an organization historically aligned with political entities supporting tribal rights, reflected on its past contributions to political changes at both the state and ADC levels, including the pivotal role it played during the 2018 state elections. However, the association expressed dismay at the current lack of accountability and inaction from political leaders concerning core tribal issues.
At the end of the meeting, decisions were made to:
- Engage in discussions with the ADC’s Chief and Executive Members regarding pension and education issues.
- Hold a meeting with pensioners in the coming days.
- Reflect on the role of regional political parties and make appropriate decisions for future leadership.
- The meeting was concluded by Association president Banamali Debbarma.
