Agartala, April 3 — The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Friday unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, outlining a broad agenda focused on governance reforms, tribal rights, and socio-economic development.
The manifesto was released at Congress Bhavan in the presence of AICC in-charge Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka and TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha. Party leaders said the document emphasises strengthening constitutional safeguards, administrative empowerment, and inclusive growth for tribal communities in ADC areas.
Highlighting the party’s historical role, Saha said the Congress played a key part in tribal welfare initiatives, including the establishment of the first Tribal Development Block in 1952 and the formation of the TTAADC through legislation in 1984. He also referred to the 1988 tripartite accord with the TNV, which enhanced political representation for tribal communities.
The party criticised the Centre for not addressing long-pending demands to amend provisions under the Sixth Schedule, stating that several issues concerning tribal rights remain unresolved.
In its manifesto, the Congress proposed enhancing the powers of the ADC by ensuring full legislative and administrative authority, direct transfer of central funds, and enabling the council to generate revenue through taxation. It also called for advancing the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill.
On governance, the party promised mandatory social audits, a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, stronger grievance redressal systems, and compulsory asset disclosure by elected representatives.
Addressing land and forest issues, it proposed a special task force to prevent illegal encroachment, digitisation of land records, promotion of community forest management, and minimum support price for jhum cultivation.
In education, the party pledged recruitment of Kokborok language teachers, scholarships, and skill development centres. In healthcare, it promised to operationalise health centres, upgrade hospitals, and introduce mobile medical units and de-addiction centres.
The manifesto also emphasised infrastructure development, employment generation, and preservation of tribal culture, including promotion of Kokborok language and traditions.
The Congress said its vision is to build a transparent, accountable, and people-centric ADC. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has not yet responded to the manifesto.
