Agartala, March 12: Tripura has achieved a notable milestone in fiscal governance by securing a leading position among the North-Eastern and Himalayan states in the second edition of the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) for the financial year 2023–24. The report was released in New Delhi on March 11 by Suman Bery.
The Fiscal Health Index, prepared by NITI Aayog, serves as a benchmarking framework designed to assess the fiscal performance and financial sustainability of states across the country. The index evaluates states based on five critical pillars: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability.
This year’s edition of the index expanded its coverage to include 10 North-Eastern and Himalayan states, providing a broader and more inclusive assessment of fiscal management in these geographically and economically diverse regions.
According to the report, Arunachal Pradesh secured the top position among the North-Eastern and Himalayan states, followed by Uttarakhand in second place. Tripura ranked third, reflecting its steady progress in strengthening fiscal discipline and improving the overall management of public finances.
The index highlights improvements in Tripura’s fiscal performance in areas such as revenue generation, prudent expenditure management, and responsible handling of debt obligations. These indicators collectively demonstrate the state’s efforts to maintain financial stability while continuing to invest in development and public welfare initiatives.
The report also emphasises the need for states to further strengthen revenue mobilisation, rationalise committed expenditure, and enhance fiscal flexibility to support long-term development goals. Improving the composition and effectiveness of capital expenditure, along with maintaining transparency in fiscal reporting, were also identified as key priorities.
Officials noted that Tripura’s strong performance in the index reflects the state government’s commitment to sound financial management and sustainable economic planning. The recognition is expected to enhance investor confidence and reinforce Tripura’s ongoing efforts to balance economic growth with fiscal responsibility.
