Agartala, Aug 8: The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a Rs 4,250 crore special development program targeting marginalized tribal communities across Tripura and Assam, converting hard-won peace agreements into tangible improvements in healthcare, education and livelihoods.
The comprehensive package, approved under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, introduces four new components under the existing Central Sector Scheme of Special Development Packages for the two northeastern states.
Tripura has been allocated Rs 250 crore for tribal development over four years from Financial Year 2025-26 to 2028-29. “Rs 250 crore for development of tribals of Tripura as per the MoS signed by the Government of India and Government of Tripura with the National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) Groups of Tripura,” officials said.
According to official announcement, Assam will receive Rs 4,000 crore across three major components spanning five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30. The state’s allocation includes Rs 500 crore for the development of infrastructure in Adivasi inhabited villages/areas of Assam as per the Memoranda of Settlement (MoS) signed by the Government of India and the Government of Assam with the Adivasi Groups of Assam.
Additionally, “Rs 500 crore for development of infrastructure in the North Cacher Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) area of Dimasa National Liberation Army/ Dimasa People’s Supreme Council inhabited villages/areas of Assam as per the MoS signed by the Government of India and Government of Assam with the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) / Dimasa People’s Supreme Council (DPSC) Groups of Assam.”
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The largest component allocates “Rs 3,000 crore for development of infrastructure in the State of Assam as per the MoS signed by the Government of India and Government of Assam with the ULFA Groups of Assam.”
The financial structure demonstrates collaboration between the central and state governments. “The overall outlay of the proposed four new components will be Rs 7,250 crore, out of which Rs 4,250 crore will be provided under the existing Central Sector Scheme of Special Development Packages for Assam (Rs 4000 crore) and Tripura (Rs 250 crore), and the remaining Rs 3,000 crore will be contributed by the State Government of Assam from their resources,” officials added.
These Memoranda of Settlement were signed with respective ethnic groups over recent years. The NLFT and ATTF agreements for Tripura were concluded in 2024, while Assam’s settlements included Adivasi groups in 2022, DNLA and DPSC in 2023, and ULFA groups in 2023.
The program addresses comprehensive development needs. “Infrastructure & livelihood projects will create employment” and “will benefit youth and women via skill development, income generation, and local entrepreneurship.” The initiative is “expected to bring stability and mainstream affected communities.”
Officials emphasized that the scheme targets specific outcomes through focused interventions. It aims at “improving the socio-economic condition of vulnerable & marginalised groups of people who have not benefited adequately from various existing Government schemes” and will “boost employment opportunities, provide health services, promote education and skilling and income through livelihood activities for youth and women.”
Tourism development represents another key component, with plans to “increase inflow of tourists from other parts of the country, thereby creating additional employment and livelihood opportunities for the people of the North Eastern Region.”
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The beneficiary scope encompasses substantial populations. “Through this, lakhs of people across Adivasi and Dimasa communities in Assam, people residing in various other districts of Assam and tribal communities of Tripura will be benefitted.”
The initiative builds upon proven approaches. “The previous MoS-based packages (e.g., for Bodo and Karbi groups) have shown positive outcomes in peace-building and development,” providing a foundation for current implementation strategies.
The program represents “a new initiative under the ongoing Central Sector Scheme of Special Development Packages,” designed to transform peace agreements into concrete development opportunities for historically marginalized communities in the northeastern region.