New Delhi, July 7: In a high-level meeting convened by the 16th Finance Commission in New Delhi to discuss issues related to the Northeastern states, Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy made a strong case for adequate financial support for the state’s overall development and resolution of infrastructure bottlenecks.
Participating in the meeting, Finance Minister Singha Roy highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He appealed to the Finance Commission for special grants to accelerate development in the tribal regions. Drawing attention to Tripura’s infrastructural challenges—especially road and rail connectivity disruptions during the monsoon—he urged for additional funding to bridge the infrastructure deficit.
The minister called for 20% of the state’s allocation to be earmarked for forestry and ecology. He also sought special grants for key growth sectors including agriculture, fisheries, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and tourism.
Presenting detailed development plans, Finance Minister Singha Roy reiterated the need for adequate financial support from the 16th Finance Commission to address the state’s development backlog. He particularly emphasized the necessity of creating a dedicated Special Grant mechanism for the TTAADC to ensure targeted infrastructure investments.
Highlighting Tripura’s growing fish production sector, he requested specific funds to build fisheries infrastructure across the state. Additionally, the minister called for the creation of a Special Infrastructure Fund to address sectoral and regional development gaps.
The issue of drug trafficking along the border areas also came up during the discussion. Minister Singha Roy stressed the need for enhanced deployment of police forces in sensitive border regions to curb the growing menace.
He further highlighted that Tripura’s economic and revenue systems are heavily dependent on India-Bangladesh trade relations. However, the ongoing political instability in Bangladesh is adversely affecting both trade and medical tourism in the state. He urged the Commission to take these factors into serious consideration while assessing Tripura’s revenue deficit and fiscal needs.
The information was shared through an official press note issued by the Finance Department of the Tripura Government.
