AGARTALA, Oct 14 (TIWN): After Sugar price was hiked with Rs. 6 per kilo in the month of April, again Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha charged more 4 rupees hike against sugar price just ahead of Durga Puja. Although opposition parties protested a lot to decrease the price, but it remained without any affect and amidst high price people are arranging Laxmi Puja and preparing various food items belonging to Bengali food culture to offer before the Goddess of wealth on Saturday. Although along with the whole nation Tripura is also celebrating Laxmi Puja-2016, but there is no better days for people here, as like 2015 this year also the income and the market price has not at all similarity. The poor pay scale, only 4 % hike in DA instead of 31 % resulting 50 % gap with Central Govt salary hit Festive season for Tripura’s state-govt employees. Moreover, 7 lakhs unemployed increasing drug addiction alarms among Educated youths, has increased the tension of the parents one more step during festive seasons.

There is no relief also for the state govt employees from their everyday crisis due to the poor pay scale, less DA with much gaps with the Central Pay scales.

Even after High court orders to clear 31% DA to the state government employees, Tripura government once again in the cabinet meeting deprived its employees by giving only mere 4% DA.

The rate of the Laxmi Murits, the price of the daily commodities, each and every items are so high, but unfortunately—the income of people are very less. In Kolkata the price is so limited and the income is much more than the people of Tripura. All Northeastern States pay DA to the State Govt employees and the DA percentage between the state and the central govts are almost similar but the difference is less except communist run Tripura.

As a result the Goddess is welcomed with less fruits, less food items. However, ahead of laxmi puja, business is on peak and people are busy in buying and selling of puja items.

Laxmi is known as the Goddess of Wealth & after giving farewell to Devi Durga, people are waiting for Laxmi puja celebration, which is to be held on Saturday.  But the price in market and tight budget of people have blemished the puja celebration across the state.