Agartala, Jan 15: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on January 15 said his government had accorded top priority to the welfare and development of the state’s tribal population, with a substantial portion of the budget being directed towards tribal-focused programmes and infrastructure.
Addressing a programme organised by the Darlong community at Kumarghat in Unakoti district, the Chief Minister said nearly 40 per cent of the state’s total budget was earmarked exclusively for tribal welfare. He said the allocation reflected the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice for indigenous communities.
Sharing budgetary figures, Saha said Tripura’s revised estimated budget for the 2024–25 financial year stood at ₹30,296 crore, of which ₹17,014 crore remained after meeting fixed expenditures. Around 39 per cent of this amount had been allocated for the development of tribal communities, he said. He added that in the 2025–26 fiscal year, ₹7,149 crore, nearly 40 per cent of the total budgetary outlay, would be spent on tribal welfare initiatives.
The Chief Minister said Tripura had a population of about 40 lakh, with tribal and sub-tribal communities accounting for nearly 25 lakh people. He noted that ensuring enhanced budgetary support to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council had been a major focus of the government, along with the implementation of several externally funded projects in tribal-dominated areas to improve socio-economic conditions.
Highlighting central support, Saha said the World Bank had extended ₹1,400 crore for projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and creating livelihood opportunities for indigenous people in the state. He also described the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools as a key initiative to improve access to quality education for tribal students.
According to the Chief Minister, the Centre had approved 15 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Tripura, which would enable around 10,000 tribal students to pursue quality education. He added that these schools were being fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, underlining the coordinated efforts of the state and central governments to uplift tribal communities across Tripura.
