TTAADC Administration in Crisis : Pensioners Await Dues, Corruption Allegations Mount, Chaitanya Murti, IFS appointed new CEO

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 15, 2026

The administrative crisis in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) appears to have reached a critical stage, with serious concerns being raised over the functioning of the autonomous council, prolonged delays in pension payments to hundreds of retired employees and allegations of financial and administrative irregularities. Against this backdrop, the Tripura government has finally changed the top executive officer of the TTAADC, appointing senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Chaitanya Murti as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The government’s decision comes at a particularly sensitive time, when the TTAADC is preparing for the Village Committee elections scheduled for September 28, with counting of votes scheduled for October 5. The change in leadership has therefore assumed considerable administrative and political significance.

According to the transfer and posting notification issued by the General Administration (Personnel & Training) Department on September 11, 2026, in the name of the Governor of Tripura, Chaitanya Murti, IFS, has been transferred from his existing responsibilities as CEO and Project Director of the ELEMENT Project and posted as Chief Executive Officer of the TTAADC, Khumulwng, with immediate effect and until further orders.

The notification was issued with the concurrence of the State Election Commission, Tripura, in view of the forthcoming TTAADC Village Committee elections.

Before his new assignment, Murti was handling several important responsibilities in the state administration. These included the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Science, Technology & Environment Department; In-charge Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Ecotourism); Chief Wildlife Warden; Member Secretary of the Tripura Biodiversity Board; In-charge Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration & Public Relations); and Nodal Officer under the Forest Conservation Act.

Murti will take over from Shri Shantanu, IAS, who has been relieved of the charge of CEO, TTAADC, who was joined last month only. Shantanu has now been posted as Principal Secretary, Science, Technology & Environment Department, while continuing to hold the charge of Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.

The change comes amid growing questions over the functioning of the TTAADC administration. One of the most serious concerns relates to pensioners of the autonomous council. Hundreds of retired employees have reportedly been waiting for their pension dues for a prolonged period, creating considerable hardship among pensioners and their families.

The pension issue has also assumed a legal dimension, with matters concerning the financial and administrative functioning of the TTAADC coming before the Tripura High Court. The court has issued directions in proceedings concerning the council’s obligations and compliance with its orders, including directions relating to the salaries of officials. The judicial intervention has intensified scrutiny of the functioning and financial management of the autonomous council.

At the same time, allegations of corruption, financial irregularities, fack jobs and administrative mismanagement have increasingly become a subject of public and political discussion surrounding the TTAADC.

The latest change of CEO is consequently being viewed as an important administrative intervention at a time when the council is facing multiple challenges. The new CEO will inherit the responsibility of running an administration that is dealing with pending financial obligations, pension-related grievances, legal scrutiny and the enormous task of ensuring smooth functioning during the ongoing election period.

The TTAADC, headquartered at Khumulwng, administers a large area of Tripura under the Sixth Schedule framework and plays a crucial role in development and local governance in the state’s tribal-majority areas. Any prolonged administrative or financial disruption within the council therefore has implications for a large section of the population.

The government reshuffle has also brought major changes in the Forest Department. RK Samal, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Tripura, and Principal Secretary (Forests), has been assigned additional responsibilities as PCCF (Administration & Personnel Relations), Chief Wildlife Warden and Member Secretary of the Tripura Biodiversity Board.

Dr. Honnareddy N, IFS, who was holding several responsibilities including CCF, CF (Establishment & HRD), CCF (Planning & Development), CCF (Research & Training) and Additional CEO of the ELEMENT Project, has been given the additional charge of Nodal Officer under the Forest Conservation Act and relieved of the additional charge of Additional CEO, ELEMENT Project.

Dr. Wangdup Bhutia, IFS, CCF (M&E) at Forest Headquarters, has been assigned the additional charge of In-charge CCF (Protection) and has also been given charge as CEO and Project Director of the ELEMENT Project, Tripura.

The redistribution of responsibilities among senior IAS and IFS officers represents a substantial administrative reshuffle in the state. However, the appointment of Chaitanya Murti as TTAADC CEO is arguably the most significant change, given the continuing concerns surrounding the autonomous council.

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