Tripura CM Manik Saha Discusses State Issues and Seeks Increased Special Award from 16th Finance Commission

By A Staff Reporter

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha recently outlined key discussions with the 16th Finance Commission, addressing various financial and developmental issues impacting the state. Saha explained the state's inability to provide Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees on par with central government employees, attributing this to the deprivation caused by the 14th Finance Commission. He emphasized that the state's fiscal management discipline was essential in preventing potential bankruptcy, despite facing financial constraints.

“We have discussed various issues with the 16th Finance Commission. Besides, we have also explained why the state government has failed to provide DA to its employees on par with the central government employees. This was because of deprivation by the 14th Finance Commission," said CM Saha during the meeting.

He also highlighted the state's infrastructure development and the Commission’s appreciation of Tripura’s fiscal discipline, acknowledging that maintaining this discipline has been critical to the state's economic stability. Saha further brought attention to the state's dense forest coverage, explaining that Tripura absorbs more carbon dioxide due to its forests. As part of this, he made a case for increasing the special award for such states from 10 percent to 20 percent, emphasizing the environmental contribution of Tripura's forests.