Agartala, Aug 19 – TIPRA Motha legislator Ranjit Debbarma on Monday urged the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to withdraw Scheduled Tribe (ST) benefits from tribal women in Tripura who marry non-tribal men.
In a letter to the NCST Chairperson, Debbarma alleged that a growing number of non-tribal men marry tribal women with ulterior motives of securing financial advantages and evading government taxes.
He claimed that after marriage, many non-tribal husbands transfer properties and business licenses to their tribal wives, thereby exploiting provisions reserved for Scheduled Tribes. “Petrol pumps, gas agencies, ration shops, and other businesses are being registered in the names of tribal women to illegally enjoy facilities meant exclusively for STs,” Debbarma stated.
The MLA further alleged that the practice is particularly widespread in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) region, where non-tribal men reportedly acquire land in the names of their tribal spouses.
“In every sphere of life, they are exempted from government taxes by marrying tribal girls. Therefore, I strongly request the immediate cancellation of all ST facilities for those who have entered into such marriages in Tripura,” Debbarma wrote in his appeal.
His demand has stirred debate, with the issue touching upon sensitive questions of tribal rights, gender identity, and inter-community relations. While Debbarma insists that the move is necessary to prevent misuse of constitutional benefits, the proposal is likely to spark legal and political discussions at both state and national levels.
The NCST is yet to respond to the MLA’s appeal, but the issue is expected to draw significant attention given its implications for tribal welfare policies in Tripura.
