AGARTALA, April 13 - Troubled by the huge debt burden of Rs 11,000 crore and massive interest burden accruing from it, Tripura Government has approached Centre for a special bailout package of Rs 17,919 crore to minimise the existing financial liability as well as to meet the pre-poll pledges made by the government.
Official sources in the State Secretariat said that the amount asked for has been arrived at after calculating the debt and interest burden of the government as well as the commitments it will have to fulfill in the coming two years.
Sources said that giving continuation to the service of SSA teachers will entail an additional expense of Rs 3.50 crore and upgrading the pay and allowances of the State Government employees and pensioners at par with the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) will require an expense of Rs 7,806 crore.
Besides, an additional Rs 4,251 crore will be required to regularise the services of all DRW, contingent and irregular employees, an extra grant of Rs 1,300 crore for boosting the implementation of Central schemes and Rs 1,431 crore for continued implementation of social welfare schemes at higher rates, as promised before the Assembly polls. Apart from this, an extra Rs 354 crore has been demanded for implementing altogether 81 schemes under Central plan assistance.
Sources said that the three-member committee constituted by the State Government to make recommendations on the implementation of 7th CPC will soon submit its report and then the State Government will take an appropriate decision.
