<h1>Finance Minister seeks special grants for tribal councils and infrastructure amid Bangladesh instability concerns</h1> A northeastern state's finance minister requested the 16th Finance Commission's special attention to potential revenue deficits caused by political instability in neighboring Bangladesh. The state's economy heavily relies on bilateral trade and export-import activities with Bangladesh, which surrounds it on three sides. The minister highlighted that the current situation has adversely affected the state's socio-economic conditions and medical tourism sector. During the meeting with northeastern state representatives, the minister also sought special grants for tribal autonomous district council development, forestry, ecology, and infrastructure projects including railway and road connectivity improvements.