Agartala, Jan 10, 2025, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Jan 10: The three-day Winter Session of Tripura Legislative Assembly commenced through the customary address of Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Friday.

The Governor in his address highlighted the performance and vision of the state government and mentioned the road map of the state government.

The first day of the Winter Session remained peaceful overall.  

The Governor mentioned the state government’s achievements in various fields and lauded the revenue generation-- Rs 1005 crore in GST, Rs 307 crore in VAT, and Rs 231 crore in excise duties for the fiscal year 2024-25 up to the month of October. This represents a growth of 8.37%, 9% and 4% respectively.

He said, with the sincere efforts made by the state and central government, Tripura made significant progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, Janajati welfare and other sectors. He also highlighted the major initiatives and achievements of the government.

While appreciating the state government’s sincere approach in ensuring peace and accelerating economic growth, he said, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ agenda is deeply reflecting in Tripura.

He said, the state government gave approval for setting up a private Open University. This would be named Mata Tripurasundari Open University. He said, the CBSE would open a sub-regional office in the state and it would play an important role in developing education infrastructure.

The Governor said, under the Jal Jeevan Mission, piped water connections have so far been provided to 6,32,387 rural households. A target has been set to provide water connections to 100 rural households by March, this year.

He also mentioned the state’s government digital initiatives in the eOffice system to ensure more transparency and timely service. He also elaborated the initiatives taken by the government for development of Tourism.

The Governor also paid respect to 38 individuals who have lost their lives due to extensive rainfall, floods and landslides on August 19-23 last year. He said, the floods largely affected the Agri infrastructure and livelihoods among other important sectors. The total loss has been estimated to be over Rs. 14,247 crore.

The Governor concluded his speech with an appeal to every member of the Tripura Legislative Assembly to work unitedly and sincerely for the state’s development.  

Meanwhile, an Amendment Bill has been moved in the Tripura Assembly on Friday proposing the increase of salaries, allowances of Ministers, MLAs and former legislators by 45 to 50 per cent.

According to the ninth amendment bill of Salaries, Allowances, Pensions and other benefits of the Ministers, Speaker, Leader of Opposition, govt chief whip proposed Rs 94,000 to Rs 96,000.

The Bill proposed increasing the salaries of MLA to Rs 93,000.

Besides the salaries, the Chief Minister, Ministers, Assembly Speaker, Leader of Opposition, MLAs are getting many other allowances, including sumptuary allowance, hospitality allowance, telephone allowance and house rent allowance.

The pensions and family pensions of former MLAs have been proposed to increase to Rs 66,000 and Rs 48,000 from Rs 34,500 and Rs 25,000, respectively.

The ninth Amendment Bill proposed to provide all retirement benefits, including pensions to all MLAs who have served even for just a day.

Meanwhile, there was an appeal from the opposition parties CPIM and Congress to the Speaker on Friday for increasing the duration of on-going Winter Session. Congress MLA Gopal Roy had sought additional two days in the present Session but his request was not accepted.