Tripura Finance Minister Urges 16th Finance Commission for Special Aid Amid Bangladesh Crisis

Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy appealed to the 16th Finance Commission in Delhi on Monday for special attention to the state’s potential revenue deficit due to political instability in Bangladesh, which disrupts critical Indo-Bangla trade and medical tourism. Tripura, bordered by Bangladesh on three sides, saw trade rise from ₹390.68 crore in 2017-18 to ₹758.09 crore in 2022-23, with exports at ₹121.37 crore in 2023-24.

Economic Impact: Roy emphasized that Bangladesh’s unrest, including job quota protests, threatens Tripura’s revenue collection and socio-economic stability, impacting sectors like medical tourism.

Requests to Commission: He sought special grants for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), allocated only 2.7% of the state budget despite governing 70% of its area, and funds for railway/road connectivity, disrupted during monsoons, and forestry/ecology projects.

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Fiscal Context: The 16th Finance Commission, led by Arvind Panagariya, praised Tripura’s fiscal management, noting a stable debt burden despite lower per capita income. The state’s 2025-26 budget of ₹32,423.44 crore, with a ₹429.56 crore deficit, prioritizes capital expenditure (₹7,903 crore).

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