Tripura has emerged as the weakest performer among the Northeastern states in the utilisation of funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). According to the latest data published on the Empowered India digital platform, the state ranks 22nd among India's 36 states and Union Territories, with an overall fund utilisation rate of just 22.78 percent, significantly below the national average of nearly 74 percent.

The data shows that the Central Government has allocated a total of Rs 41.7 crore to Tripura's three Members of Parliament. However, only around Rs 9.5 crore has been spent so far. The slow pace of fund utilisation has also affected project implementation. Although nearly 100 development projects have been recommended across the state, only one project has been completed to date.

Among Tripura's MPs, Biplab Kumar Deb has recorded the highest utilisation of MPLADS funds. Out of an allocation of Rs 14.7 crore, he has spent approximately Rs 4.6 crore, accounting for 31.12 percent of the total allocation. He has recommended 29 projects, but none have been completed so far.

Rajib Bhattacharjee ranks second, having utilised around Rs 3.5 crore out of his Rs 12.3 crore allocation, representing 24.92 percent utilisation. He has recommended 56 projects and is the only MP from the state under whose tenure one project has been completed.

Meanwhile, Kriti Devi Debbarman has recorded the lowest utilisation rate. Of her Rs 14.7 crore allocation, only about Rs 1.9 crore has been spent, amounting to 12.67 percent. None of the 49 projects recommended by her have been completed.

Compared to other Northeastern states, Tripura's performance remains significantly behind. Nagaland leads the country with an MPLADS fund utilisation rate of 82.3 percent, followed by Mizoram (73.8 percent) and Meghalaya (63.9 percent). Other Northeastern states, including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Assam, have also outperformed Tripura.

The latest figures highlight that despite receiving substantial financial allocations, Tripura has made limited progress in implementing MPLADS-funded development projects. The slow pace of execution has raised fresh concerns over administrative efficiency and the timely delivery of public development initiatives in the state.