Tripura Government Defends Flood Relief Efforts Amidst Opposition Criticism

The Tripura government defended its flood relief efforts on Wednesday, responding to criticism from opposition parties regarding the alleged inadequacy and illegality of the state’s flood response. The government asserted that it has already extended financial assistance to families affected by the recent floods, which claimed the lives of at least 36 people in the northeastern state.

In a review meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister Manik Saha instructed senior officials to expedite post-flood relief activities. Tripura’s Relief, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Secretary Brijesh Pandey reported that the government has disbursed full compensation of Rs 4 lakh in 26 of the 36 flood-related death cases and has made partial payments in seven other cases. Of the deceased, 23 were victims of landslides.

Ex-gratia Payment

The total ex-gratia payment to flood victims’ families amounts to Rs 104.85 lakh. Currently, 3,873 individuals are residing in 67 relief camps across various districts. The floods, which affected the region from August 19-24, damaged over 62,200 homes. The government has allocated interim relief of Rs 11.92 crore for 10,483 damaged houses.

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In addition, Pandey announced that the Tripura government will provide free rations—10 kg per ration card—for the next two months under the Chief Minister’s Relief Package. Chief Minister Manik Saha had previously unveiled a Rs 564 crore special package to address the flood and landslide damages.

A six-member inter-ministerial Central team (IMCT) recently visited the hardest-hit districts of Gomati, Sepahijala, Khowai, and South Tripura to assess the damage.

Criticized The Government

Despite these efforts, opposition parties, including the CPI-M and Congress, have criticized the government. They argue that the flood relief has been insufficient and claim that the Chief Minister’s flood package is “illegal” because the state Cabinet did not discuss it.

Former Chief Minister and CPI-M politburo member Manik Sarkar further accused the government of failing to provide adequate relief to the affected populace. The CPI-M has been advocating for the floods to be declared a ‘National Disaster.’

Congress working committee member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman criticized the Central government’s contribution, stating that the Rs 40 crore released was merely an advance from the State Disaster Relief Fund and not genuine financial assistance.