The government on Friday, August 8, announced the approval of ₹4,250 crore for the development of ethnic and tribal communities in Assam and Tripura as part of the central sector scheme of Special Development Packages (SDPs).
The budget is allocated for four different components, including ₹3,000 crore for infrastructure development in Assam and another ₹500 crore earmarked for villages and areas inhabited by Adivasi communities in Assam.
This is being implemented as per a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) that the Adivasi Groups of Assam had signed with the central and state governments.
An additional ₹500 crore was approved to build and improve infrastructure for areas inhabited by Dimasa tribal people as part of a peace accord with
The remaining ₹250 crore was approved for development initiatives for tribal communities of Tripura as per a settlement agreement signed by the Government of India, Tripura state government, and with the National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) Groups of Tripura.
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While the overall cost for the proposed four new development components stands at ₹7,250 crore, the central government will provide ₹4,250 crore and the remaining ₹3,000 crore will be contributed by the Government of Assam from its own resources.
The government has stated that infrastructure and livelihood projects under the banner will benefit the community through employment and skill development for youth and women. The initiatives are also likely to generate more income for the local population
"Lakhs of people across Adivasi and Dimasa communities in Assam, people residing in various other districts of Assam and tribal communities of Tripura will benefit," the government said.
