By TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th February 2025: Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar has assured Tripura’s Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das that all possible support will be provided after examining the requirements placed by Minister Das at the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting for the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY).
In an exclusive interview with Tripura Chronicle, SC Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das elaborated on the discussions held during the meeting. “In the meeting, we discussed the provision of benefits to 32 SC-dominated gram panchayats under PMAGY, with an amount of Rs 20 lakh allotted for each gram panchayat. Through this yojana, gap-filling activities are being held. However, I have demanded that this amount is insufficient and needs to be increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The Union Minister accepted the proposal and assured us of considering it after examining the necessity,” Das said.
Minister Das also highlighted the issue of hostel development in the state. “The ministry sanctioned Rs 700 lakh for the development of three hostels in Tripura for the 2022-23 financial year. However, the state government has received only Rs 525 lakh, and utilization certificates (UCs) have been sent to the ministry accordingly. We have demanded the remaining Rs 175 lakh to complete the work. Additionally, I have requested the sanctioning of four new SC-hostels in the state, to which the Union Minister promised to give consideration,” he stated.
Addressing the ‘Grant-in-Aid’ component under PM-AJAY, Das mentioned the focus on infrastructure development, income generation, and skill development. “Proposals for a three-year perspective plan of infrastructure development have been received from BDOs, SDMs, and DMs, and submitted to the ministry. Rs 196 crore has been sanctioned for the next three years for the development of the SC community in Tripura. Last year, Rs 4 crore was received, and the funds were distributed to BDOs, SDMs, and DMs. I have urged the Union Minister to release funds at the beginning of the financial year so that UCs can be submitted without delay,” he added.
Das also urged the Union Minister and the Secretary of MoSJE to consider granting Tripura’s Directorate of Scheduled Caste access to the NSP / NIC portals to resolve the scholarship issues faced by SC students. “If we have access to these portals, we can identify the problems hindering SC students from receiving benefits and address them effectively. Moreover, I further urged the Union Minister to increase the scholarship amount by 10 percent,” Das told the reporter.
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar has assured to provide possible support to the demands placed in the meeting, offering hope for the betterment of the Scheduled Caste community in Tripura.
