BJP Tribal Leader Debid Debbarma Flags Alleged Corruption in CM Rubber Mission Allocation in Khowai; Seeks Urgent Review

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 28, 2025

In an unusual but bold move within ruling party circles, BJP State Secretary and senior tribal leader Debid Debbarma has raised serious concerns regarding alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission in Khowai District, Tripura. In a strongly worded letter to the Minister for TRP & PTG Welfare, Sukla Charan Noatia, Debbarma alleged "huge corruption" in the recent beneficiary allocation under the scheme and demanded a comprehensive review of the district-level action plan.

Debbarma, a young tribal voice within the BJP, questioned the complete exclusion of Tulashikhar and Kalyanpur Rural Development (RD) Blocks

both known for their significant tribal populations and active participation in rubber cultivation. According to him, the new plan not only sidelines deserving areas but also undermines the objective of inclusive and balanced tribal development.

The allegations are supported by a letter from the Tripura Rehabilitation Plantation Corporation (TRPC) dated June 19, 2025 (Ref. No. 2‑147/DYM/W/DEV/MGNREGA/TRPC‑2025/710‑16), which outlines the revised action plan for the 2025–26 financial year. The revised plan allocates:

Zero hectares of rubber plantation for Kalyanpur (previously 150 ha) and Tulashikhar (previously 50 ha)

In contrast, Mungiakami RD Block alone has been allocated a staggering 673 hectares—out of a total of 900 hectares designated for Khowai District.

This lopsided distribution, Debbarma said, has caused distress among tribal communities in the excluded regions and violates the core principle of regional equity in state-sponsored development programs.

While such public criticism from within the ruling BJP camp is rare, especially directed at a Minister from an allied IPFT faction, Debid Debbarma defended his action as an exercise in accountability and transparency. “If there are anomalies or corruption in any government initiative, it is our duty to highlight them, regardless of political consequences,” he wrote.

Debbarma also emphasized the suitability of both Tulashikhar and Kalyanpur for rubber cultivation, citing land availability, tribal livelihood dependence, and community willingness as key factors that justify their inclusion.

Debbarma called for the following steps to be undertaken urgently:

Review and rationalize the current beneficiary allocation under the CM Rubber Mission in Khowai.

Ensure inclusion of Tulashikhar and Kalyanpur RD Blocks in the final project layout.

Issue clear directives to implementing bodies to avoid such imbalances in future project rollouts.

Concluding his letter, Debbarma added a note of faith:

> “We have full trust in your commitment to tribal welfare and inclusive governance. Prompt action on this matter will help restore public confidence and ensure fair implementation.”

The letter was submitted with an annexed copy of the TRPC action plan for official review.

What makes this development even more striking is the lack of response from opposition parties. Neither CPIM, Congress, nor even Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma have raised public concerns on this alleged irregularity, raising questions about political priorities and silence on tribal developmental issues.

Observers suggest that Debbarma’s move may trigger internal reassessment within the ruling coalition and could influence future resource allocation strategies, especially in tribal-majority districts like Khowai.

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