AGARTALA, July 14 (TIWN): Keeping in view the discontinuation of special category state provision by the present central government, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said, “The funding under Normal Central Assistance (NCA), Special Plan Assistance (SPA), Special Central Allocation (SCA) played a key role during the UPA-II regime in providing social and physical infrastructure to the state.” Sarkar said, this should be continued for the special category states under the NER so that they can catch up with other parts of the country. With the dissolution of planning commissions, funds under NCA, SCA and SPA as special category state has been discontinued which would offer unhealthy infrastructure to the NE states. Tripura had received Rs. 10, 635 crores under these categories between 2010-2011 to 2014-15. “It appears that neither the NITI Aayog has kept any provision nor 14th Finance Commission made any recommendation under these heads and also no provision has been made in the Union Budget for 2015-16,” Sarkar claimed.

He also indicated that the increase in devolution of central taxes to the states from the existing 32 per cent to 42 per cent has not given any financial comfort to the NE states including Tripura.

“Rather the state is facing a net shortfall in terms of overall central support as compared to previous years because of discontinuation of the financial help and supports under the NCA, SCA and SCA,” CM said.

Sarkar was demanding the special category tag during the recently convened meeting at Guwahati which was for the first time chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

It is worthy to mention here that CM Manik Sarkar would also attend the second NITI Aayog meeting to be convened on July 15 at New Delhi.

Sarkar is eyeing forward to gain the momentum of special category status for Tripura and other NE states though Sarkar had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi but returned here with empty hand.