The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Saturday joined the opposition CPI(M) in rejecting the state government’s Rs 564 crore special relief package and demanded that the Centre should announce a separate financial package exclusively for flood victims of the State.
The party also pointed out the issue of the skyrocketing prices of the essentials before the upcoming festive season.
Speaking at a press conference at the Agartala Congress Bhavan on Saturday, TPCC president Ashish Kumar Saha came down heavily on the government over the issue. He criticized the state government’s relief package, claiming it only focused on restoring physical assets and failed to address the needs of the affected people.
“It has been over a month since devastating floods ravaged the state, causing widespread damage to crops, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Yet, the relief package announced by the state government has not reached the flood victims,” Saha alleged.
He also pointed out that the Centre has not yet sanctioned any aid for the flood-hit people, who continue to suffer in dire conditions.
Saha added, “At the all-party meeting convened by the government, we urged both the state and the Centre to stand with the affected citizens. We also demanded that the state be declared a national disaster zone, but no meaningful action has been taken.”
He further alleged that farmers, the poor families, and those involved in animal husbandry, who are among the worst affected, have received no assistance from the state.
“Rather than providing help, the administration is forcing flood victims, still sheltered in relief camps, to vacate the camps, which is unacceptable,” he said.
Saha warned that if the Centre fails to extend help, the Congress will stage protests in solidarity with the farmers and the poor.
Moreover, Saha raised concerns over the recent hike in prices of essential ration items, including sugar, just before the festive season. He called on the state food and civil supplies department to intervene and stabilize prices to ease the burden on the poor.
Earlier, the Opposition CPIM also raised voice over the issue of special relief package and demanded aid to assist the flood victims.
(Tripura, Tripura News)