Agartala, Sept 1: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Monday inaugurated a two-day capacity-building programme on Panchayati Raj at the State Panchayat Resource Centre in Arundhutinagar, jointly organized by the Department of Rural Development (Panchayats) and Bharat Initiative Foundation.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the three-tier Panchayati Raj system is the backbone of development in both the state and the country. “Nearly 60 to 70 percent of India lives in villages, and one-third of Tripura is rural. Without strengthening villages, overall development is impossible. If rural areas are strong, the state will also be strong,” he remarked.
Dr. Saha stressed that elected representatives at the Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad levels must work with transparency and accountability, as they are directly chosen by the people. “Every project at the village level must be implemented with people’s participation. Transparency is the key to living with dignity,” he said, adding that Panchayati Raj, recognized by the Indian Constitution, is a vital pillar of democracy.
He recalled that India’s development planning after Independence was largely urban-centric. “It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 who shifted focus to socio-economic growth of rural areas, and Tripura too has emphasized strengthening the three-tier system since 2018,” he noted.
Highlighting Tripura’s achievements, the Chief Minister said:
- Tripura became the first state in India to implement an e-office system up to the three-tier Panchayat level.
- The state has bagged seven national awards in recent years for transparency and Panchayat-level developmental work.
- Competing with 2.5 lakh Panchayats across India, one Panchayat from Tripura secured the first position nationally.
- Tripura’s ranking in the Panchayat Devolution Index has improved from 13th in 2015 to 7th position today.
- On the Panchayat Advancement Index, 42 Panchayats of Tripura have secured ‘Grade A’ status.
- The state now ranks second in per capita income and Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth in the Northeast, next only to Assam.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that over 1.08 lakh women in Tripura have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in the last few years due to self-reliance initiatives under Prime Minister Modi’s vision. He also highlighted the state’s progress under the Digital India programme, attributing success to transparent governance. “We must not be complacent but keep the momentum to take Tripura to the top,” he asserted.
The inaugural session was also addressed by Bharat Initiative Foundation Director N.K. Gilani. The welcome address was delivered by Panchayat Secretary Abhishek Singh, while the vote of thanks was given by Joint Director of Panchayats, Anurag Sen.
The two-day programme is being attended by chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samiti chairpersons, and other Panchayat representatives, who will undergo sessions on rural economy, youth and employment, culture and heritage, environment and development, as well as governance and technology, conducted by resource persons.
