AGARTALA: Lok Sabha member from Tripura Khagen Dason Sunday demanded a Special Economic Package to bail out the state from ongoing financial crisis, said state’s Finance Minister Badal Choudhury.
Referring to Mr Das’s speech in the parliament, Mr Choudhury mentioned that 13th Finance Commission had deprived Tripura ignoring realistic assessment of the committed liabilities on account of salary and pension introducing normative formula.
He, however, pointed out both Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Mr Choudhury had met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and for a number of times Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee over the issue but nothing yielded except assurance.
“Reduction of gap grant for the state and change of the allocation norms by 13th Finance Commission have affected the flow of fund and that virtually impacted the pace of development in the state,” Mr Das stated, adding only a only special financial package would help the state get rid of the crisis.
He also demanded MNREGA be extended to the urban poor and work days be increased from 100 days to 200 days besides, increasing the wage from Rs 100 at present to Rs 150. (UNI)
