AGARTALA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly extended an invitation to Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Debbarma for urgent discussions in New Delhi regarding the 125th Amendment of the Constitution.
The amendment could potentially bring direct funding and other benefits to the autonomous councils under the 6th Schedule.
Emerging reports in the local press indicate that Debbarma is expected to meet Shah later this week.
Minister’s Shah invitation follows Debbarma’s initiative to convene a meeting with the elected heads of all the autonomous district councils in the Northeast, scheduled for July 18 in Shillong.
Debbarma has been vocal about the limitations faced by tribal people in 6th Schedule areas, highlighting that they cannot fully enjoy the benefits of autonomy without direct funding and expanded land rights.
After a prolonged stay in Delhi, where he met with several central leaders, Debbarma is returning to Agartala today.
His visit to the national capital has been seen as part of his ongoing efforts to push for greater autonomy and benefits for the tribal regions.
Earlier on July 8, Pradyot Debbarma expressed serious concerns about the distribution of royalties by industries operating in Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas of Tripura.
Taking to social media, Debbarma questioned the disparity in royalty payments received by different regions under the 6th Schedule, specifically in Tripura.
He pointed out that while companies in Meghalaya’s 6th Schedule areas contribute a significant portion of their royalties to the local councils, this practice seems to be absent in Tripura’s ADC regions, particularly in the Bodhjung Nagar industrial estate.
