Tripura Govt Continues Fixed-Pay Recruitment Despite Supreme Court Rulings, SOFED Notification for Over 55 Contractual Posts Triggers Fresh Debate
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, May 2, 2026
Fresh controversy has erupted in Tripura over the continued practice of fixed-pay and contractual recruitment after the Society for Entrepreneurship Development (SOFED), operating under the Tripura government, issued a major recruitment notification for more than 55 posts across multiple government departments, agencies and projects on contractual terms.
The development has once again intensified the long-standing debate over equal pay for equal work, particularly in light of repeated Supreme Court observations supporting equal salary for employees performing identical duties and responsibilities.
According to the notification issued on April 30, 2026, online applications have been invited for officers, technical experts, coordinators, accountants, therapists, programmers, project staff and support personnel under different government-linked projects and departments. Most of the appointments are purely contractual for periods of six months or eleven months.
The recruitment drive covers departments and projects linked to forestry, climate change, education, rehabilitation, tourism, rural development, minority welfare and healthcare sectors. The online application process will continue from May 4 to May 22 through the official SOFED portal.
Among the major posts advertised are Resorts Manager, Assistant Programmer, Occupational Therapist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist, Mobility Instructor, Vocational Counselor, Project Assistant, Biodiversity Expert, Neurologist, Field Accountant, Data Analyst and Multi-Tasking Staff.
The highest remuneration mentioned in the available notification pages is Rs. 1.5 lakh per month for the post of Neurologist, while several other posts offer salaries between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 75,000.
The notification has once again brought attention to the continued dependence on fixed-pay and contractual employment in Tripura despite earlier BJPs political promises regarding regular government jobs.
Several unemployed youths expressed frustration over the issue and alleged that educated youths are being forced to accept temporary contractual employment even after years of waiting for permanent recruitment.
One unemployed postgraduate youth from Agartala said, “Before the elections, BJP leaders promised regular government jobs and an end to the fixed-pay system. But now almost every recruitment is contractual. There is no job security and no future stability.”
Another unemployed engineering graduate said, “The government is recruiting for important technical and administrative posts, but most of them are temporary. How can young people build their future on six-month or eleven-month contracts?”
A group of unemployed applicants also questioned the collection of application processing fees from candidates. As per the notification, every applicant must pay Rs. 200 through an online payment gateway.
One applicant alleged, “Thousands of unemployed youths apply for these posts every year by paying fees repeatedly. But permanent recruitment remains very limited. Many people now feel that recruitment advertisements themselves have become a major source of revenue collection.”
The issue has also revived debate over the constitutional principle of equal pay for equal work. Critics allege that thousands of employees in Tripura, including teachers, healthcare workers, technical staff and project employees, continue to work under fixed-pay arrangements while performing duties similar to regular government employees receiving higher salaries and benefits.
Political observers pointed out that before the 2018 Assembly elections, BJP leaders had strongly criticized the then Left Front government over fixed-pay recruitment policies and had promised regular employment opportunities for fifty thousand unemployed youths.
However, many unemployed youths now allege that both the present and previous governments followed similar contractual recruitment practices.
Significantly, many unemployed youths and observers have also expressed disappointment over the silence of both the major opposition parties, the Congress and the CPIM, on the latest SOFED fixed pay contractual recruitment issue.
Several youths alleged that despite repeatedly raising concerns over fixed-pay jobs and contractual recruitment, neither senior Congress leaders nor CPIM leaders are actively protesting the matter in a strong and sustained manner.
One unemployed youth said, “The BJP government is continuing fixed-pay recruitment, but surprisingly both Congress and CPIM leaders are largely silent on this important issue affecting thousands of educated unemployed youths.”
Another applicant remarked, “When they are in opposition, parties criticize fixed-pay jobs. But later everyone remains silent. Educated unemployed youths are suffering while political parties avoid serious action.”
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