Tripura CM to BJP workers be prepare for VC polls, urges FM to hike in ceiling for externally aided projects

Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday called the party workers to prepare for ensuing Village Council (VC) elections in Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas of the state.

Addressing the BJP leaders and workers during ‘Bijaya Sanmelani’ (Festival greetings) at Agartala Town Hall, Dr Saha said ‘Our party will go as our target and we should avoid all kinds of conspiracy fetch by opposition parties.’

Dr Saha said that he requested the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to raise the ceiling for externally aided projects (EAPs) for the state to at least Rs 10,000 crore to speed up development activities across the state.

Dr Saha claimed that while there is no EAP ceiling for mainland states, it is Rs 3,000 crore for Northeastern states.

Highlighting his recent New Delhi visit, the Chief Minister said that he met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and urged her to either withdraw the ceiling or enhance it to at least Rs 10,000 crore to speed up development activities in Tripura.

He said the union minister has asked him to send the state's finance secretary to Delhi for a meeting with the Centre's counterpart to discuss the issue.

Dr Saha said the government has been working for infrastructure building and welfare of people.

The state government have initiated the process to boost infrastructure for overall growth of the state. The state's annual budget has been increased from Rs 27,000 crore in 2024-25 FY to Rs 32,000 crore during 2025-26 FY. The government has earmarked Rs 7,000 crore for capital expenditure, said Dr Saha.

The CM said the government has been releasing DA to employees in order to reduce the gap with the central government employees.

During present tenure, the state government has released 29 per cent DA in 29 months. Still there is a gap of 22 per cent DA between the state and central government employees, said Dr Saha.

He added steps have been taken to fill up the vacant posts in various government departments since 2018.

Over 20,000 regular posts have been filled up in the government departments during the past seven years. Besides, 6,000 people have been employed in the government sector on a contractual basis and government is trying to fill up all the vacant posts at the earliest, said Chief Minister.