The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved four new components under the existing Central Sector Scheme of Special Development Packages (SDPs) for Assam and Tripura, with a total outlay of ₹4,250 crore.
The new components include ₹500 crore for developing infrastructure in Adivasi-inhabited villages and areas of Assam, as per the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed by the Government of India and the Government of Assam with Adivasi groups.
Another ₹500 crore will go towards developing infrastructure in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) area of Dimasa National Liberation Army/Dimasa People’s Supreme Council-inhabited villages in Assam, as per the MoS with these groups.
A major share—₹3,000 crore—has been earmarked for infrastructure development in Assam under the MoS with ULFA groups. Additionally, ₹250 crore will be allocated for the socio-economic development of Tripura’s tribal communities, as per the MoS with the National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF).
The overall cost of the four components is estimated at ₹7,250 crore. Of this, ₹4,250 crore will come from the Central Sector Scheme—₹4,000 crore for Assam and ₹250 crore for Tripura—while the remaining ₹3,000 crore will be contributed by the Assam government from its own resources.
The ₹4,000-crore allocation for Assam will be spread over five years (2025–26 to 2029–30) for its three components, while the ₹250-crore allocation for Tripura will be spread over four years (2025–26 to 2028–29).
The projects, focusing on infrastructure and livelihood, are expected to generate employment, promote skill development for youth and women, encourage local entrepreneurship, and help integrate affected communities into the mainstream.
Targeted specifically at the North Eastern states of Assam and Tripura, the scheme aims to improve the socio-economic condition of vulnerable and marginalised groups, expand employment opportunities, enhance healthcare, promote education and skills training, and boost tourism.
The initiative is expected to benefit lakhs of people across the Adivasi and Dimasa communities in Assam, residents of other districts in Assam, and tribal communities in Tripura.
This is a new initiative under the ongoing Central Sector Scheme of SDPs. Previous MoS-based packages, such as those for the Bodo and Karbi groups, have delivered positive results in both peace-building and development.