By: News Reporter, Tripura24.in Agartala, Tripura Monday, February 2, 2026
Agartala: A day after the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha addressed a high-profile press conference at the BJP State Headquarters (Pradesh Karyalaya) in Agartala today. The Chief Minister provided a comprehensive breakdown of how the national budget will act as a catalyst for Tripura’s rapid socio-economic transformation, describing it as a “historic and human-centric” document.
Flanked by senior party leaders, Dr. Saha expressed his immense gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He emphasized that the budget is strategically designed to balance fiscal discipline with high capital expenditure, ensuring that India remains the fastest-growing major economy.
Medical Hubs and Healthcare Revolution
As a professional from the medical fraternity, the Chief Minister particularly lauded the focus on health. He highlighted the proposal to establish new Medical Hubs across the country, which he believes will help Tripura create a specialized pool of healthcare professionals.
- Cancer Relief: He noted the significant exemption of customs duty on 17 life-saving cancer drugs, which will bring immense relief to patients in Tripura who often have to travel outside the state for expensive treatments.
- Rare Diseases: The budget’s provision for seven medicines for rare conditions was also marked as a compassionate move toward universal health coverage.
Strengthening State Finances & MSMEs
Dr. Saha brought attention to the fiscal federalism strengthened by this budget. He noted that 41 percent of the nation’s total tax revenue has been earmarked for states, ensuring that Tripura receives its fair share of central funds to fuel local development projects.
- Empowering Small Businesses: The Chief Minister spoke at length about the MSME sector and traditional handicrafts of Tripura. He stated that the new credit guarantee schemes and global market access initiatives would empower local “Maniks” (artisans) and entrepreneurs to move from the local to the global stage.
- Handicraft Push: Special emphasis on traditional crafts will provide sustainable livelihoods for the state’s rural artisans.
Tourism and Pilgrimage: A New Revenue Stream
The Chief Minister reiterated that the budget’s plan to preserve and modernize temples and monasteries in the Northeast would revolutionize Tripura’s tourism. By integrating Tripura into the newly announced Buddhist Circuit, the state is poised to become a major hub for spiritual tourism, which will, in turn, accelerate local business growth.
“This is not just a budget; it is a document of trust between the government and its 1.4 billion citizens,” Dr. Saha told reporters. He concluded by stating that the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision is no longer a distant dream but a reality that is being built brick-by-brick through such transformative fiscal policies.
