Agartala, June 7: Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma on Saturday announced that the Union Ministry for Tribal Affairs has assured full support for the comprehensive development of tribal areas in the state. The assurance came during his recent visit to New Delhi, where he met Union Minister for Tribal Welfare Jual Oram on May 29.
Speaking to media upon his return to Agartala, Debbarma said he had briefed the Union Minister about the current status of ongoing development projects in tribal-dominated regions and sought assistance for launching new initiatives. “I highlighted the challenges faced by tribal communities and requested support for vital projects to uplift their socio-economic condition,” Debbarma stated.
According to him, Union Minister Jual Oram responded positively and assured that the Centre would approve all necessary proposals aimed at improving roads, electricity, education, and healthcare in tribal areas. “He assured me of a complete development package for the tribal belts of Tripura,” Debbarma said.
He also criticized the previous government for failing to deliver on promises made to the tribal population. “The people living in the hills were betrayed. We are committed to ending this development disparity,” the Minister added.
In a significant development, Debbarma informed that construction of two Eklavya Model Residential Schools, which had been stalled due to administrative delays, has now resumed following intervention from the Union Ministry. These schools are expected to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas.
The Minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that all tribal communities have access to better infrastructure, education, and livelihood opportunities. He expressed confidence that with the Centre’s support, Tripura’s tribal areas would witness transformative growth in the coming years.
