May 8, 2017: After BJP All India president Amit Shah visited Tripura and blamed CPIM for ‘lagging behind’ in development initiatives, CPIM today strongly refuted allegations made by Shah with facts and figures. Not just counter allegation, CPIM highlighted achievement of Left Front Government with specific information, many of which were recognized by the Central Government itself.
It may be noted that recently Tripura was awarded three prizes by the Central Government in outstanding performances in Agricultural sectors. The awards were announced after Union Agriculture Minister rapped the State Government.
Based on data, CPIM claimed the State made remarkable progress in various sectors under Left rule. Addressing a press conference in Agartala today, Goutam Das, Central Committee Member of CPIM today highlighted State Government’s initiatives for the overall welfare of the society.
“On literacy, Tripura is in top position – 97% of total population of the State is literate which is highest in the country”, Das mentioned. Notably, as per available information, no BJP ruled States are anywhere near the position of Tripura on literacy issue.
Countering ‘lagging behind’ allegation Das said, Tripura tops in per capita income in the North Eastern region. Considering that there is no big industry or mining sector, pushing per capita income to the top most brackets is no small achievement. Sustained effort of the State Government to create earning avenues resulted in higher per capita income.
Having said that the State Government has accorded highest priority for the welfare of Tribal communities, especially dwelling in hilly and remote village, Das informed media persons, Tripura has done exceedingly well in implementing Forest Rights Act. He said, Tripura is one of the front runners in implementing the Act which aims at welfare of tribal communities. He also said, there are no instances of farmers’ suicide or starvation death in Tripura as the Government is committed to protect the vulnerable section of the society.
Expressing concern about eight lakh unemployed youths in Tripura, Das said, in the run up to last Lok Sabha poll, Narendra Modi himself promised two lakh jobs per year and he asked, why BJP leaders are not mincing single word mentioning how many jobs was created during last three years of Modi regime – what about 44 lakh vacant posts in Central Government Offices. He also asked, why Modi-led government has squeezed scope of MNREGA which is considered to be proving a platform for unskilled labourers to earn wages and live a dignified life.
Taking a dig at BJP and Amit Shah, Gautam Das said, the State Government is running 33 social welfare programmes which are benefitting more than three lakhs people – why BJP leaders are overlooking such a feat, Das asked. He also said, significant progresses have been made in Rural development and setting up connectivity. “Connecting the remote areas with nearest haats or bazaars and hospitals has become a boon for habitants”, he commented.
Commenting on prevailing political situation in Tripura, Gaoutam Das accepted that BJP had occupied most of opposition spaces by breaking away, mainly, Congress support base. Rise of BJP in Tripura may be attributed to weakness of Congress, he observed. However, he exuded confidence that whoever emerges as main opposition, CPIM will return to power with thumping victory and both the number of seats as well as votes will increase.
