Agartala: Jan 14: The seven-year tenure of the state’s “double-engine” government is nearing completion, and the people of Tripura are questioning what they have gained under its rule. On Tuesday, Prabir Chakraborty, the spokesperson for the Pradesh Congress, held a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan, raising these concerns and criticizing the government. He compared the current administration with the previous Left Front government, alleging that while the previous government often blamed the central government for hindering state development, the current government is no different, despite having a “double-engine” mandate.
Chakraborty pointed out that the state has been running into debt, with the state’s borrowings rising from ₹11,851 crores in 2018. Despite the promises made by Prime Minister Modi and state BJP leaders during the 2018 elections of abundant financial aid and infrastructural development, none of the 299 promises have been fulfilled. Instead, the state’s debt has increased to ₹26,446 crores. Chakraborty questioned where the money is being spent, highlighting issues like the lack of regular pay for teachers, irregular workers, and sanitation staff, as well as delayed wage hikes and reduced job opportunities.
The government’s promises of new schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges have also remained unfulfilled, with existing infrastructure falling into disrepair. He criticized the government’s handling of the August floods, claiming the reported damage of ₹15,000 crores was an underestimate, and that the state had yet to receive adequate financial aid from the center.
Additionally, Chakraborty referred to alarming statistics about the state’s increasing malnutrition rates, growing unemployment, and decreasing agricultural production. The rise in drug addiction among the unemployed youth, as acknowledged by the Chief Minister, further pointed to the government’s failure. He concluded by calling for a larger movement to oust the current “double-engine” government.
