Agartala, September 20:
With anticipation running high among government employees over a possible Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday chose to remain non-committal on the matter. When asked by reporters about the government’s stance, he responded cautiously, saying, “When a decision will be taken, it will certainly be communicated through proper channels. So far, no conclusive decision in this regard has been taken. Since the matter is yet to be decided, it would be wise to make no comments.”
The CM’s neutral stance has not stopped the growing buzz across the state, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Tripura on September 22 to inaugurate the redeveloped Mata Tripura Sundari temple. Speculation is rife that a DA hike could be announced during the Prime Minister’s visit, given the high-profile nature of the event and its timing with the festive Navratri season.
Sources close to the development suggest that while there is a remote possibility of making the announcement in the PM’s presence for greater public impact, nothing has been officially confirmed. The temple’s renovation, completed with an investment of over ₹51 crore under various centrally sponsored schemes, adds significance to the occasion.
However, other sources indicate that the announcement could instead be made on September 23, the final day of the ongoing Tripura Legislative Assembly session. This has kept the employee unions and government staff on edge, awaiting clarity.
With growing pressure from state employees and rising public expectations, all eyes are now on the government’s next move—whether it chooses the grandeur of the PM’s visit or the formal setting of the assembly to deliver the much-awaited DA hike news.
