Agartala, Nov 8 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, has declared that the comprehensive advancement of Janajati (tribal) communities stands as a paramount objective for the BJP-led government. A substantial loan amounting to ₹1,400 crore has been secured from the World Bank to facilitate the overall enhancement of regions predominantly inhabited by tribal populations.

During an official event held in Killa, located in the southern part of Gomati district, the Chief Minister elaborated that this loan, acquired under the Externally Aided Projects (EAP), will be utilized for various initiatives aimed at tackling critical challenges such as infrastructure development, electricity provision, water supply, healthcare, and education.

CM Saha emphasized, "Our goal is the holistic upliftment of the Janajati populace. The BJP-led administration aims to foster growth without engaging in any political maneuvering concerning the Janajatis."

Highlighting that the state’s progress is inextricably linked to the enhancement of tribal areas, he noted that over 40 percent of the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 has been earmarked for the upliftment of tribal regions.

In the upcoming financial year of 2024-25, from a total budget of ₹27,000 crore, the state has allocated ₹6,645 crore specifically for the development of Janajati areas, representing approximately 39.06 percent of the overall budget.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that since the BJP assumed governance in 2018, an honorary monthly compensation of ₹2,000 for leaders within the Janajati community has been increased to ₹5,000 by the state Cabinet.

"For the fiscal year 2024-25, around ₹6,500 crore was allocated for the development of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) regions, which constitutes 39.06 percent of total expenditures. For the current fiscal year 2025-26, a budget of approximately ₹7,149 crore has been designated for the TTAADC," CM Saha stated.

With elections approaching for the politically significant TTAADC early next year, both the ruling BJP and its partners — the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) — are independently striving to strengthen their foothold among tribal demographics.

The TMP, led by former royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, has been at the helm of the 30-member TTAADC since 2021.

This tribal autonomous entity governs nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km area, with over 12.16 lakh residents, approximately 84 percent of whom belong to tribal communities. Both the TMP and IPFT are parties that primarily represent tribal interests.

Tribal people make up around one-third of Tripura's population of four million and are pivotal in the state's electoral dynamics, with 20 of the 60 Assembly seats reserved for tribal representatives.