Oppn seeks loan waiver, free ration for flood-hit in Tripura

Agartala: Tripura govt will consider the proposals of the opposition parties to restore normalcy in areas affected by the floods, minister-in-charge (relief and rehabilitation) Ratan Lal Nath informed the ongoing monsoon session of the assembly. He was speaking on behalf of CM Manik Saha who was not present in the house.
At least 33 people have been killed and losses worth Rs 15,000 crore suffered by Tripura in the worst floods to have hit the state in decades.
Both opposition parties, CPM and Congress, stressed the need for a special financial package to rebuild the state’s damaged infrastructure. LoP Jitendra Chaudhury sought a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh each with either a govt job or a permanent source of income for families that have lost their dear ones in the floods. He called for the formation of separate task forces in the district, subdivision and block levels to ascertain the damages caused by the floods.
“All loans taken for agriculture, agriculture-related activities, and rubber cultivation should be waived off. People who have taken loans for economic activities such as buying commercial vehicles, e-rickshaws, and small businesses must get their loan interest written off,” Chaudhury said. He also suggested providing 200 days of work under MGNREGA in the current financial year, with a fixed rate of Rs 600 daily wage to ensure that the people in villages have cash ahead of the festive season.