Discontinuation of JICA project renders 600 jobless

A correspondent

Agartala, April 20:  All the Japan-aided projects that were run by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in Tripura have been discontinued, rendering over 600 employees jobless.

Project Director of JICA G S Raju, in a notification, has informed its workers on the discontinuation of the projects.

The JICA-aided projects in the State started in 2007 and ended on March 31, 2018.  The second phase of the projects, however, was supposed to start from November 2018. The Japan government has already sanctioned Rs 1,200 crore for the second phase. The JICA has declared the Tripura project as one of the shining projects in India.

The project authority had sought approval to continue the project during this interim period with the available fund. But the authority had to discontinue due to its non- approval.

It is learnt that after receiving the information, Forest Minister Meber Kumar Jamatia talked to the authority and the matter is being considered. According to sources, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over not drawing his attention though the authority had sent the file seeking approval at least 45 days ago.

 JICA projects are based on forest and aimed at creating livelihood for people living in the forest utilizing forest products. It is also aimed at protecting forest and the environment.