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Saha’s Delhi Push: Tripura Seeks EAP Ceiling Hike, DA Parity

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • 1205

Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha’s meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Monday signals the state’s renewed effort to secure greater fiscal flexibility and address growing financial disparities.

 

At the core of the discussion was the demand to raise the ceiling limit of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) — a move that could have a decisive impact on Tripura’s infrastructure growth trajectory. Several major initiatives under the Urban Development Department, Tourism Department, and Agartala Municipal Corporation are reportedly facing delays due to the restrictive EAP cap, which limits the volume of foreign-assisted funding the state can utilize.

Analysts note that for a landlocked, resource-constrained state like Tripura, EAPs serve as a critical lifeline for large-scale urban, tourism, and connectivity projects. A ceiling enhancement, therefore, could unlock faster fund flows and attract greater international collaboration — especially from multilateral agencies such as the ADB and JICA.

In addition to project funding, Dr. Saha also pressed for additional central assistance to bridge the Dearness Allowance (DA) gap between state and central government employees. The widening disparity has been a sensitive political and administrative issue, with employee unions periodically demanding parity. The Chief Minister’s intervention indicates an effort to align state-level benefits with national standards while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Officials familiar with the meeting described it as “constructive and forward-looking,” suggesting that the Union Finance Ministry may explore mechanisms to accommodate Tripura’s requests within broader fiscal parameters.

The twin demands — EAP flexibility and DA parity support — underscore Tripura’s strategic approach to balancing developmental aspirations with employee welfare, reflecting the state government’s attempt to leverage central cooperation for long-term economic stability.