LF indifferent to tribals, TTADC: Congress

AGARTALA: Lambasting the Left Front government in Tripura, Opposition Congress today said it is indifferent about tribals in the state and Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council ( TTAADC).

"The government led by CPI-M is indifferent and unresponsive about the tribals and the tribal council," Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee President Diba Chandra Hrankhawl told a 'meet the press' organised by Agartala Press Club.

Hrankhawl, who is also a tribal leader, demanded that TTADC be allocated more funds and more autonomy without which it cannot function.

"The tribal council area remained backward for long time. It is not acceptable that one portion of the state would be developed and the other portion would remain underdeveloped," he said.

He said recently TTADC chief executive member had requisitioned 1000 state government employees on deputation.

"TTAADC can itself appoint employees, but it has no funds as the state government is not allocating money to it for its proper functioning," he added.

TTADC was formed in 1987 under sixth schedule of the Constitution to protect and safeguard the economic, political and cultural interests of the tribals.

The council constitutes two third of Tripura's territory and is home to one third of the state's population.