AGARTALA, Aug 20 (TIWN): Tripura’s CPI-M Govt’s short sightedness, non-cooperation resulted delayed infrastructure developments spanning over 2 decades. Union Minister Suresh Prabhu recently said that the 17 States which have agreed to join hands with the Railways for different projects, will follow a smooth partnership with Cental govt. which will be win-win for both. “The states will decide the priorities for development, including land use, etc”, said Prabhu. Ministry of Railways took initiative for formation of JV Companies with States. 17 States have consented for formation of such companies and 8 states have signed MOUs with Ministry of Railways in this regard including Kerala, Gujarat, Mahrashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand. However, Tripura Transport Minister’s Office is cold about the proposal of joint venture projects with Railways and Private Sectors. Infact, Tripura Govt. is also disagreed to any of the joint project which will draw a high amount from state’s share of investment.

Not only in Railways, but in SMART City project also, Tripura after being selected amongst top 13 cities has now declined to go with the project of 90:10 fund sharing.

However, Tripura CM lied on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, blaming the BJP led Central Govt. lacks cooperation. "The central government has been continuously trying to grab and snatch the powers of the state governments. Efforts are also on to turn the states into beggars," Sarkar said after unfurling the tricolour at the Assam Rifles ground here. "If the central government continue to grab the remaining powers of the states, there will not be any federal structures in the country. Democracy will weaken. 

Without mentioning about Railway Service's upgradation, the Chief Minister said 77 to 80 per cent people in India were poor and 30 to 35 per cent people do not write their name while 20 to 25 crore people, mostly youths, have no jobs. He said instead of moving ahead in industry and agriculture, India had been moving backward due to faulty policies of the central government. "Rights of working class people are being taken away, prices of essential commodities are constantly rising and the central government is taking anti-people steps.  "Despite the states' repeated demands, the central government is not giving powers to deal with hoarders and black marketers."

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved a proposal for formation of joint venture companies between Indian Railways and state governments to mobilize resources for executing rail infrastructure projects in multiple states. The joint venture exercise would ensure greater participation of state governments in implementation of railway projects both in terms of financial participation as well as decision-making process.

However, Suresh Prabhu also said, the root cause of most financial woes of Indian Railways is neglect of infrastructure creation for years. That’s why we are spending huge to upgrade the railway infrastructure.

Tripura has seen enormous growth in Railway since the beginning of 2016. To get inked with the Joint Venture Companies, Tripura could see much development in coming years.