Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on January 15 said his government has accorded top priority to the welfare and development of the state’s tribal population, with a substantial portion of the annual budget being channelled into tribal-focused schemes and infrastructure.
Addressing a programme organised by the Darlong community at Kumarghat in Unakoti district, Saha said nearly 40 per cent of the state’s total budget is earmarked for tribal welfare. He said the allocation underlines the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice for indigenous communities.
Sharing budgetary figures, the Chief Minister said Tripura’s revised estimate for the 2024–25 financial year stands at Rs 30,296 crore. After accounting for fixed expenditures, Rs 17,014 crore remains available for developmental spending, of which around 39 per cent has been set aside for programmes benefiting tribal areas and communities.
He added that in the 2025–26 fiscal, the government plans to spend Rs 7,149 crore—close to 40 per cent of the total budgetary outlay—on tribal welfare initiatives.
Saha said Tripura has a population of about 40 lakh, with tribal and sub-tribal communities making up nearly 25 lakh of the total. He noted that enhanced financial support to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) continues to be a key focus, along with the rollout of several externally funded projects in tribal-dominated regions aimed at improving livelihoods and socio-economic indicators.
Highlighting support from the Centre, the Chief Minister said the World Bank has extended Rs 1,400 crore for projects focused on infrastructure development and livelihood generation for indigenous people. He also cited the expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) as a major intervention to strengthen educational access for tribal students.
According to Saha, the Centre has approved 15 EMRSs for Tripura, which are expected to benefit nearly 10,000 tribal students. These schools are fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, he said, stressing the coordinated efforts of the state and central governments to improve outcomes for tribal communities in Tripura.