Agartala, 1st October 2026 : The Tripura Khet Mazdoor Union on Thursday organised a procession in Agartala and submitted a deputation to the West Tripura District Magistrate, pressing for a seven-point charter of demands concerning employment, wages, roads, drinking water, electricity and other issues affecting the rural and working-class population.
The programme was organised by the union’s West District Committee as part of a statewide decision by its State Council to submit mass deputations to the District Magistrates of all eight districts.
Addressing the gathering, union leaders said the state was facing a serious crisis of employment and food security, affecting people in both hilly and plain areas. They alleged that poor, economically weaker and marginalised sections were struggling to secure employment and meet basic needs, while timely measures had not been taken to provide adequate economic support.
The union also raised concerns over the condition of national highways and rural roads, alleging that several roads deteriorated soon after construction due to poor-quality work. It further alleged corruption and irregularities in the execution of road projects and demanded corrective measures to ensure quality construction and accountability.
Other issues highlighted included shortages of drinking water and electricity in rural areas and the financial burden on consumers due to taxes and other charges.
A major demand of the union is an increase in the guaranteed employment under the rural employment guarantee programme to 200 days per year, along with a daily wage of Rs 700. The organisation also opposed the proposed replacement of the existing rural employment guarantee framework with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, arguing that changes to the employment guarantee system could weaken workers’ statutory employment rights.
The union further criticised the proposed Centre-State funding arrangement, stating that a greater financial burden on states could affect implementation of the rural employment programme.
Following the procession, a delegation of the West District Committee met the District Magistrate and submitted the seven-point charter of demands, urging the administration to take necessary steps on the issues raised.
