Agartala, August 18, 2025: Tipra Motha legislator Ranjit Debbarma has urged the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to cancel all Scheduled Tribe (ST) facilities and benefits for tribal girls in Tripura who marry non-tribal (Non-ST) men.
In a letter addressed to NCST Chairperson Antar Singh Arya, Debbarma alleged that several non-tribal men are intentionally marrying tribal women to exploit government schemes and evade taxes. He claimed that after marriage, many grooms transfer their businesses and properties to their tribal wives’ names in order to avail tax exemptions, subsidies, and other benefits meant exclusively for the tribal community.
“Non-ST boys are running petrol pumps, gas agencies, ration shops, and other businesses in the name of their ST wives just to avoid government taxes,” Debbarma wrote.
He further alleged that non-tribal grooms are purchasing land in the names of their tribal spouses, including in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) jurisdictions, which is restricted under law. Such practices, he said, are leading to deforestation, misuse of subsidies, and illegal commercial activities such as brick kilns and plantations inside TTAADC areas.
Calling the situation “alarming,” the MLA demanded that NCST immediately intervene and ensure that government benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes are not misused through inter-community marriages.
The letter, dated August 17, 2025, has been received by both the Chief Minister’s Office and the Welfare Department of Tripura.
