Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb while meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for Rs 1095 Cr to implement of 71 projects for socio-economic, cultural and linguistic development of tribal people of the state besides, an externally Aided Project for Rs 1250 Cr for overall development of indigenous people of the state.
He demanded that the grants of Rs 875 Cr for five specific projects related to water supply, tourism and urban development, had been recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
Deb has also requested the Prime Minister in the meet held Friday evening for fixing the quota for export of Agar-wood and Agar products under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) rules.
He apprised that Tripura is having abundance of Agar trees and at present over 50 lakh trees are available and in order to exploit the potential of Agar for state economy, the state government has launched ‘Tripura Agar Wood Policy 2021’, wherein by 2025 area under Agarwood plantation is proposed to be doubled.
The state has planned to set up a testing laboratory, trade centre, and introduction of technology for artificial inoculation. It has been requested to enhance quota suitably so that the aspirations of Tripura can be met as it expects the quota of 75000 Kg of Agar Chips and 1500 KG of Agar oil for export for financial year 2021-22, Deb stated.
Deb has also raised the issues like operationalisation of Chittagong port and Bangladesh Bhutan India and Nepal network where the fee structure is proposed to be finalized by the government of Bangladesh in a manner which is beneficial to Tripura. To upgrade the health infrastructure in the state, he reiterated the demand for establishing an AIIMS in the state.
