By TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th December 2024: Tripura is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis, and the BJP-led state government has come under sharp criticism from former Chief Minister and CPM Politburo member Manik Sarkar. Speaking at the CPIM Belonia Sub-division Conference today, Sarkar accused the BJP government of misleading the public and failing to deliver on its promises, calling it a “deceitful government.”
“The people of Tripura are facing severe hardships due to rising prices, rampant black marketing, and illegal wage labor. Villages are suffering from acute shortages of work and food. This was never the case during the tenure of the Left Front government,” Sarkar asserted.
He highlighted how the Left Front government prioritized employment generation through various departments, ensuring that “every house had work opportunities.” Sarkar recalled, “During our tenure, starvation and child trafficking due to poverty were eradicated. People from other states came to Tripura in search of work. Today, under BJP rule, people are struggling for survival, with some even resorting to selling their children to stave off hunger.”
Addressing the deteriorating state of education, Sarkar lamented the shortage of teachers in schools. “Students are protesting on the streets, demanding proper education, but the government remains indifferent. Many schools are shutting down due to a lack of teachers,” he said.
Sarkar also painted a grim picture of the healthcare system, citing a severe shortfall of doctors and health workers in hospitals. “This government has completely failed to address the basic needs of the people,” he added.
Taking a dig at the BJP-led administration, Sarkar pointed out the disparity in dearness allowance (DA) between central and state government employees, which currently stands at 23 percent. “During the Left regime, we ensured DA was revised twice a year to match central government standards. Now, state employees are being financially deprived,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Sarkar called for collective action. “The BJP government has brought Tripura to its knees. It’s time for the people to unite and demand a change in governance to restore stability and dignity to the state.”
