Despite Being a Partner in Governance, TTAADC Refrains from Criticizing State Amid Major Fund Crisis; Calls for Timely Release of Budget Share

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 18, 2025

In a striking development, the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), a constitutional body and partner in the state’s governance has expressed deep concern over the State Government's delay in releasing budgetary funds for the fiscal year 2025–26, yet notably refrained from issuing any direct and strong criticism of the ruling dispensation.

In a detailed press statement issued on July 15, the TTAADC highlighted a massive shortfall in fund disbursement, revealing that it had proposed a development

centric budget of Rs. 1840.75 crore, of which only Rs. 860.28 crore was approved in the State Budget Estimate. As of mid-July, only Rs. 307.08 crore has actually been released, falling short by Rs. 123.05 crore from what should have been disbursed by this time.

The statement, signed by D. Debbarma, Executive Officer (Finance), and Naresh Jamatia, IFS, Additional CEO, noted that Rs. 553.19 crore still remains pending even under the approved allocation, putting critical tribal development projects at risk.

The TTAADC, responsible for governing 68% of Tripura’s geographical territory and nearly 35% of its population, emphasized that its budget allocation under the Rs. 32,423.44 crore State Budget stands at a meagre 2.65%, which the Council termed as "disproportionate" given the demographic and geographic realities.

Yet, in spite of the significant financial disparity and delays, the TTAADC has chosen to express only “disappointment” rather than condemnation, reflecting a conspicuous restraint that many political observers believe stems from its role as a coalition partner in the state’s governance structure.

Analysts say that while the TTAADC's diplomatic tone underscores its intent to preserve coalition harmony, the ground situation signals growing unease within the Council over financial autonomy and genuine decentralization.

Unless timely corrective action is taken, insiders fear that administrative inefficiency and underfunding could derail long-term development planning in tribal areas, potentially triggering political and public dissatisfaction in the coming months.

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