MLA Alleges Bias in Distribution of Electric Autorickshaws in Khowai District, Seeks Equal Allocation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, December 26, 2025

Serious allegations of bias and uneven distribution have surfaced over the allocation of electric autorickshaws under the Chief Minister’s Tribal Development Mission in Khowai district of Tripura. Ramchandraghat MLA Ranjit Debbarma has formally raised objections, calling the distribution pattern maladministration and most objectionable on the part of the authorities concerned.

According to official records issued by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare on December 6, a total of 291 electric autorickshaws were sanctioned for unemployed Scheduled Tribe youths across five blocks of Khowai district. However, the block-wise breakup reveals a stark imbalance. While Mungiakami block alone was allotted 200 autorickshaws, Padmabil block received only 13 units. Tulasikhar, Kalyanpur, and Teliamura blocks were each allotted 26 autorickshaws.

The disproportionate allocation prompted the MLA to write to the Director of Tribal Welfare, Government of Tripura, urging immediate corrective measures. In his letter dated December 24, Debbarma stated that such skewed distribution creates massive inconvenience for residents of Khowai district and raises serious questions about impartiality in the implementation of welfare schemes.

Highlighting constituency

wise impact, the MLA pointed out that Padmabil block, which falls under his Ramchandraghat Assembly Constituency, received merely 13 autorickshaws out of the total 291. In contrast, Mungiakami block under Krishnapur Assembly Constituency was allotted 200 autorickshaws. He described the disparity as crystal clear evidence of maldistribution among blocks.

Debbarma further emphasized that the intent of the Chief Minister’s Tribal Development Mission is to ensure equitable income-generation opportunities for unemployed tribal youths across regions. Any deviation from balanced allocation, he argued, defeats the core objective of the scheme and undermines public trust.

In his communication, the MLA requested that the distribution be revisited and carried out on the basis of equal status and equal numbers among all blocks in Khowai district to ensure fairness and transparency. He also urged the department to eradicate any perception of bias and to uphold administrative neutrality in welfare delivery.

The Directorate of Tribal Welfare had earlier instructed Sub-Divisional Tribal Welfare Officers to submit beneficiary lists by December 20, along with requisite documents such as ST certificates, driving licenses, ration cards, and bank details, as per prescribed eligibility norms.

The issue has now drawn attention within political and administrative circles, with expectations that the state government will review the allocation process and take corrective steps to ensure just and balanced implementation of the scheme across all blocks.

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