Tripura CM Welcomes Rs. 250 Cr Tribal Package; Pradyot Issues Stern Warning Over Delay in Rehabilitation Funds

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 8, 2025

In a significant development for Tripura's tribal communities, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has welcomed the Rs. 250 crore Special Development Package approved by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This package is a key part of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed last year with the NLFT (National Liberation Front of Twipra) and ATTF (All Tripura Tiger Force) to ensure lasting peace and development in the state.

Taking to his official Facebook page, Dr. Saha wrote that the sanctioning of the Rs. 250 crore is a clear reflection of the Centre’s commitment to inclusive growth and to fulfilling the promises made under the peace agreement. He highlighted that this new component under the Central Government’s Special Development Package will directly benefit the state’s tribal population.

According to the Chief Minister, the sanctioned funds will be used for:

Improving socio-economic conditions of vulnerable and marginalized tribal groups who have historically been left out of the benefits of mainstream schemes.

Boosting employment opportunities for tribal youth and women through skill development and livelihood activities.

Enhancing healthcare and educational access across tribal-dominated areas.

Promoting tourism in tribal regions of Tripura, which in turn will create new income and employment opportunities.

Dr. Saha noted that such holistic measures would not only empower tribal communities but also strengthen peace, stability, and progress in the state.

However, while the funding has been sanctioned, Tipra Motha founder and tribal leader Pradyot Kishore Debbarman has sounded a note of caution.

In a strongly worded post on his Facebook page, Pradyot expressed deep concern over the delayed release of rehabilitation funds for surrendered insurgents—an essential part of the MoS. He warned that if the Central Government further delays the disbursal, "it will not be good for the people of tribal Tripura."

Referring to the geopolitical backdrop during which the peace accord was signed, Pradyot pointed out that the agreement was concluded just before the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina government lost power in Bangladesh. He warned that had the accord not been signed on time, ISI-backed forces could have exploited the situation by using insurgent elements to destabilize the region.

> "Only if Tripura is free from violence and insurgency can a new tomorrow emerge for all of us," Pradyot stated, urging the Centre to release the rehabilitation funds without further delay. Although central cabinet already sanctioned Rs. 250 crore development funds as per the NLFT and ATTF Agreement today.

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