The Tripura Left Front has urged the state government to withdraw its decision prohibiting doctors at GB Pant Hospital from engaging in private practice, claiming the move has aggravated the state's healthcare challenges.

Addressing a press conference in Agartala on Wednesday, Left Front Convener Manik Dey said Tripura already faces an acute shortage of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. According to him, restricting private practice has reduced access to medical care for many patients while increasing pressure on government hospitals. He alleged that the decision was taken without consulting doctors or other stakeholders and called on the government to suspend the order and resolve the matter through discussions.

The press conference was attended by CPI State Secretary Milan Baidya, RSP State Secretary Dipak Deb, Forward Bloc leader Raghunath Sarkar and CPI(M) leader Rajendra Reang.

The Left Front also opposed the recent hike in electricity tariffs and additional fixed charges on consumers. Dey alleged that inefficiencies within the power corporation, including unrecovered dues reportedly amounting to around Rs 150 crore from a private company, were being passed on to the public. He demanded the rollback of the tariff hike, withdrawal of additional charges and reconsideration of the proposed installation of smart meters.

Raising law and order concerns, Dey demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the unnatural death of an employee of Tripura Santiniketan Medical College to determine whether it was a case of suicide or murder.

He further criticized the poor condition of national highways, especially in Khowai district, alleging that substandard construction has contributed to rising road accidents. The Left Front also condemned the eviction of hawkers in Agartala without proper rehabilitation and urged the government to address all these issues through dialogue and prompt corrective measures.