Centre approves Rs 52 crores for ST development

Agartala, Apr 5 (UNI) The Union Government has approved Rs 52 crore for all-round development of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) living in Tripura.

Of the total Rs 52 crores, Rs 5.5 crores had already arrived to the state government and the rest was expected to be available by this year, State Tribal Welfare Minister Jitendra Chowdhury said.

The Centre had announced a special package for Rs 55 crore for the all round development of the tribal population in the state during 2004 as per the tri-partite accord with the surrendered militants of banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT-NB).

As per the terms and condition of the Union Government about expenditure of the funds, the state government had also sent a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre.

After some delay, the home Ministry approved the Rs 52 crore of the Rs 55 crore as announced during 2004 as special package, at a meeting held in last month, the minister said adding that the DPR was prepared after discusions with the surrendered militants who returned to mainstream leaving the insurgency path in the state.

The sanctioned fund would be spent for preparing market stall, coaching centre, class room, training centre, play ground and a degree college at the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) aras at Khumulwng about 25 kms from here in West district.

Besides works would take up for financially rehabilitation of the backward tribals in the rural and remote areas, Mr Chowdhury stated.

UNI