Agartala, October 14: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, higher education and youth employment while attending an offer letter distribution ceremony at Matangini Pritilata Hall of Women’s College in Agartala.
Organised by the Higher Education Department, the programme witnessed the distribution of appointment letters to 74 newly recruited Assistant Professors and 10 Youth Organisers under the Youth Affairs and Sports Department. Scooties were also provided under the Mukhyamantri Konya Atmanirbhar Yojana to 30 meritorious girl students for the 2023–24 academic year and 122 students for the 2024–25 academic year. Helmets were distributed along with the scooties, while the beneficiaries will collect their vehicles from designated outlets.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy and Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman attended the programme as special guests.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Manik Saha said the holistic development of society was not possible without women’s empowerment. He highlighted the state government’s initiatives to promote women’s education, employment and self-reliance, including the provision of 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs.
The Chief Minister said the government’s objective was to expand opportunities in higher education, make young people self-reliant and strengthen and modernise the state’s education system. He added that the Mukhyamantri Konya Atmanirbhar Yojana had been introduced to encourage girls to pursue higher education and make their daily commute to colleges more convenient.
Highlighting infrastructure development in the higher education sector, Saha said Rs. 77 crore had been sanctioned for MBB College and Rs. 40 crore for Netaji Subhash College in Udaipur, including the development of new science buildings. He also informed that Rs. 137 crore had been sanctioned for infrastructure development at Tripura Institute of Technology (TIT), Narsingarh, while Rs. 125 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of a permanent campus for the National Law University.
Expansion work is also underway at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education at Kunjaban, Agartala, he added.
The Chief Minister further stated that Rs. 234 crore had been sanctioned for Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar College in Belonia, Rs. 82 crore for Karbook Government Degree College, Rs. 44 crore for the academic building of Ram Thakur College in Agartala and Rs. 54 crore for Government Degree College at Tulakona in Jirania subdivision. Additionally, Rs. 14 crore had been sanctioned for constructing a 1,000-seat auditorium on the MBB College campus.
He said the government was taking steps to establish advanced institutions for higher education, research and technology to improve learning opportunities for students. Women’s education was also being prioritised through the establishment of a Women’s College at Nalchhar and Tripura Government Women’s University. The proposed conversion of TIT into a state technical university would further expand opportunities in technical education, he added.
Describing the present era as one driven by artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity and digital learning, Saha urged students to move beyond theoretical knowledge and apply modern technology to real-world challenges. He said smart classrooms, modern research laboratories and other advanced facilities were being developed across colleges and educational institutions.
He added that efforts had been made since the 2023–24 academic session to make learning in colleges and universities more practical, advanced and activity-oriented in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
Emphasising the importance of youth development, the Chief Minister said young people were the future of Tripura and should be nurtured in education, sports, technology, research, culture and professional fields. He highlighted the government’s Lakshya scholarship scheme for UPSC aspirants and other assistance programmes supporting higher education.
Saha also informed that since 2018, a total of 23,900 candidates had been provided jobs under the die-in-harness scheme across various departments. He said contractual appointments and outsourcing were also being used to meet staffing requirements, while the government continued to explore employment opportunities based on the skills of young people.
Speaking at the event, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy said several initiatives had been introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha to promote girls’ education, sports and self-reliance. He highlighted the CM-SATH scheme, under which meritorious girl students receive financial assistance of Rs. 5,000. He also referred to provisions for fixed deposits of Rs. 50,000 for eligible girl students and financial assistance of up to Rs. 5 lakh for talented female sportspersons to support their training.
Roy added that the Social Welfare and Social Education Department was also providing financial assistance to economically disadvantaged girl students to support their education.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman said the state government was working to improve the quality of higher education and make students self-reliant. He described the distribution of scooties and appointment letters as important steps towards strengthening the higher education system.
Barman emphasised that teachers play a vital role not only in imparting academic knowledge but also in developing humanitarian values, confidence and leadership qualities among students. He said students’ success depended on their own hard work as well as the guidance and support of teachers and guardians. He expressed hope that educated young people would make meaningful contributions to nation-building.
Director of Higher Education Animesh Debbarma delivered the welcome address. Other dignitaries present included Secretary of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department Tapas Roy, Director L. Darlong, Women’s College Principal-in-Charge Sanchita Debbarma, faculty members and students.
