Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday said that he had urged the central government to reveal the cap on externally aided projects for Tripura. According to Dr Saha, there is a highest ceiling cap of Rs 4,000 crore for states like Tripura in taking up externally aided projects.
“For mainland states, no such restrictions exist. We want that status for our state as well. I have made the centre aware about our demand and letters were also exchanged. I genuinely feel that nothing should press brakes on the wheels of development,” the Chief Minister told a gathering organised to mark the foundation stone laying ceremony of the renovation projects of Kasba Kali temple and Temple of 14 deities.
Both the religious sites had been established by the royal family of Tripura and lakhs of devotees visit these two sites round the year. Especially, during the annual festival and fair organised in both the places, massive public participation is recorded.
“With the financial assistance from Asian Development Bank, we shall spend Rs 51 crore for renovations and development of necessary infrastructure surrounding the temples,” said Dr Saha.
Stating that spending more on infrastructure has been a central objective of his government, Dr Saha said, “One thing we shouldn’t forget: Money makes money. When you spend more, you earn more. In the last financial year, our total budget outlay stood at Rs 27,000 crore which has been increased to Rs 34,000 crore in the current fiscal. There is a steep increase of 7,000 crore which is also the total earmarked budgetary outlay for spending on infrastructure.”
According to the Chief Minister, in the current year alone between January to July projects worth Rs 772 crore had been either inaugurated or foundation stones were laid.
Also Read | Data shows Nagaland rising as India’s mutual fund hotspot