AGARTALA,April 27 (TIWN): Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Tuesday cabinet meeting took stock of existing schemes but refrained from announcing long-term plans for employment generation, industry, revenue boost for economy. Cabinet announced subsidy on Swavalamban scheme from Rs 65,000/- to 75,000/, minor hilke in loan amounts for Tripura State Support Project on SHGs, Capital investment subsidy will be raised from existing 30 % into 35 % ,revision of pension schemes and then miniscule increase in PDS subsidy from Rs 35 to Rs 50 per ration cards. However, Manik Sarkar Govt not realizing the importance of long term planning to boost trading, inviting new investments, industries so that Tripura's economy gets new influx of funds to cope-up with borrowed fundings from different financial institutions from ADB (Asian Development Bank), JICA, foreign investors to Central agencies.

Due to lack of proper finacncial planning, Tripura's middle class transforming into poor classes as price of daily commodities soaring sky high, lakhs of unemployed youths on road, rise in drug addicts,rapes, crimes in society.

The Council of Ministers in the meeting held on Tuesday had discussed the proposals and approved their implementation from 1^st April 2016

1.     Swavalamban: Swavalamban scheme is being implemented in the state since 2001. So, far 12677 beneficiaries have been assisted with Rs. 206.13 crores. The subsidy will be raised from existing Rs. 65,000/- to Rs. 75,000/- keeping the rate of subsidy at 30 % for male and 35 % for female. During 2016-17, the Department of Industries & Commence will have the target of covering 4000 beneficiaries.

2.    Tripura State Support Project on SHGs (TSSPS): Under the TSSPS an eligible SHG was provided with Startup Soft Loan (SSL) of Rs. 50,000, comprising of Govt. and Bank component of Rs. 25,000 each. For implementation, Govt. has entered into an agreement with Tripura State Cooperative Bank for funding the SHG for taking up income generating activities. The quantum of SSL was enhanced to Rs. 1.00 lacs (Govt. and Bank component) of Rs. 50,000 each) in the year 2014-15. A good number of SHGs have established themselves taking the benefit of the project. So, far, 8327 SHGs have been funded and they have started repayment of the loans taken. To encourage further, the state government has decided to reduce the interest on Government component from the existing rate of 4 % to 3.5 %.

3.    Revision of Tripura Industrial Investment Promotion Incentive Scheme (TIIPIS):  The State of Tripura has natural resources like Gas, Bamboo, Rubber and Agri & Horticulture product. With a view to promote utilization of natural resources available in Tripura, State Government has decided to identify them as Thrust areas to give special incentives for setting up of manufacturing units by their utilization.

a.     The capital investment subsidy will be raised from existing 30 % into 35 % with overall ceiling from the existing Rs. 50.00 lacs to Rs. 60.00 lacs.

b.    To promote employment of local people in the private enterprises, it is proposed to introduce Employment Cost Subsity by way of --

      1) 100 % reimbursement of expenditure for Medium and small Entertainment State Insurance (ESI) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) schemes subject to employment of more than 50 skilled and semi-skilled workers in the state.

 With revision to the incentive scheme, the government hopes to give boost to the industrial development and employment generation in the state.

4.    Pension Schemes : The Council of Ministers approved to revise 24 pension schemes unward by Rs. 100/- for various segments of poor people in the state. The pension will benefit 3, 16, 714 people and total additional financial burden of the state government would be Rs. 38.00 crores annually. Presently, the government is spending Rs. 131.80 crores. From the year 2016-17, the total amount would be Rs. 169.80 crores.

a.     Enhancement of monthly pensions for AWW and AWHs from existing Rs. 500 and Rs. 350 to Rs. 750 and Rs. 500 respectively and

b.    Introduction of a new scheme of social security assistance for cancer patients, with annual income of less than one lacs fifty thousand with no member in the family in Government services, @Rs. 600 per beneficiary.

5.     PDS subsidy : The Council of Ministers approved subsidy to increase from Rs. 35/- to Rs. 50/- per ration card per month to the PDS beneficiaries in lieu of supply of mustard oil and Dal. The subsidy will bee paid on quarterly basis. The State Government is presently spending Rs. 27.88 crores for the scheme. With the increase, the total fund requirement for the said scheme will be Rs. 39.88.