By TC News Desk
Agartala, 7th July 2025: Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy on Monday urged the 16th Finance Commission to provide special grants for the holistic development of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and for strengthening border security to combat the growing drug menace.
Participating in a crucial meeting on North-Eastern states convened by the Finance Commission in New Delhi, the minister highlighted the acute infrastructural gaps in TTAADC areas and emphasized the need for focused financial assistance.
Singha Roy pointed out the challenges faced by the state, particularly during the monsoon when road and rail connectivity often collapses, severely affecting accessibility and economic activity. He requested additional funds to address these deficits.According to an official familiar with the meeting, the minister called for a 20 percent allocation under the forestry and ecology category. He also sought special grants for the development of key sectors including agriculture, fisheries, MSMEs, and tourism.
“He placed detailed data and proposals related to Tripura’s development plans before the Commission and stressed the urgency of financial support to overcome the state’s long-standing infrastructural bottlenecks,” the official said.
The minister also urged the Commission to allocate dedicated funds for fisheries infrastructure to boost fish production in the state. Additionally, he pitched for the creation of a special infrastructure fund to support critical sectors.
Raising the issue of increasing drug trafficking through international borders, Singha Roy demanded the deployment of additional police forces in the border areas. He further pointed out that the current political instability in neighbouring Bangladesh is adversely impacting Tripura’s socio-economic development, especially in areas like medical tourism.
Citing these concerns, the Finance Minister appealed to the Commission to give special consideration to Tripura’s revenue deficit and extend adequate fiscal support to address emerging challenges.
