AGARTALA, March 18 (TIWN): "We are starting with a negative balance and it should be known by all", said BJP Deputy CM Jishnu Debbarma. "I am presenting the negative balance before public, so that we can answer after 5 years what BJP Govt has done. We are bound to our promises and what PM Modi and our central leaders had promised, all will be fulfilled, but public should know from where we are starting our journey and in which condition we are going ahead", he said. "Our previous Govt has burdened us with negative balances. Since 3 years Tripura Finance Dept is facing major fiscal deficits and the economic condition has totally marked with negative balances. But the previous Govt kept the whole matter hidden and never disclosed it before public", he added.

 "There was no calculated expenditure at all and especially since 3 years, the expenditure had expanded than the budget, which has totally paralyzed the Finance Dept in the state". "There will be a necessity of Rs. 1459.51 crore per year  to implement the 7th pay commission and other allowances. The arrears amount is standing as Rs. 1644.90 crore in 2017-18", said Jishnu Debbarma. "In the same time, we are goaled to fulfill our promised and that's why we are now focusing on 3 points : 1) Balanced Expenditure, 2) Revenue Generation, 3 ) Asking Central Govt for help.

"With lots of hope, public have voted for us and on March 9th we have formed our Govt. On 16th March there was a review of the economic condition of the state financial condition and it was found that since last 3 years the economic condition is going through negative balances", said Finance Minister.

"In the last 5 years, the expenditure of the Govt was above the actual fund and non-plan expenditure was heavily increasing", he said.

"In 2016-17 the non-plan expenditure was around 75 %. Moreover, revenue income was almost stopped", the Minister added.

"Amid such pathetic condition of the Finance Dept, we are strict to our promise to fulfill all promised words. We will fight against the odds and establish our state Tripura with full efforts", Jishnu Debbarma said.