Agartala, Sept 8: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Monday reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing basic services such as nutrition, health, and pre-primary education to future generations, describing them as the catalysts who will lead the state and the nation in the coming days.
Speaking at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, the Chief Minister inaugurated 14 projects of the Social Welfare and Social Education Department and laid the foundation stones for five 100-bed hostels for working women. He also inaugurated a 50-bed boys’ hostel at Agartala DIET. The projects were inaugurated and launched virtually.
The Chief Minister said that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India aims to become a fully developed nation by 2047. He noted that Tripura ranks 5th in overall development in the country and 1st in the Northeast region. “Development is endless, but it must be inclusive. Our government is working with transparency to ensure welfare and services reach the citizens,” he remarked.
Among the projects inaugurated were nine Anganwadi centres across different subdivisions of West Tripura district, two parks at Narsingarh and Abhaynagar Child Care Institutes, an after-care home for girls, a specialized adoption agency for orphaned children, and other child-care facilities. Foundation stones were laid for working women’s hostels at Abhaynagar, Adinagar, Bodhjungnagar, Sabroom, and Belonia.
The total cost of these projects is estimated at around ₹61 crore, while the 50-bed boys’ hostel at DIET, Agartala was constructed at a cost of ₹1.84 crore. Dr. Saha informed that projects worth nearly ₹800 crore have been inaugurated and launched across Tripura this year so far.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of a distribution program of 11,130 smartphones to Anganwadi workers and ICDS supervisors under the Poshan Abhiyaan scheme, enabling real-time data collection in the field. The initiative involves an expenditure of ₹12.89 crore.
Currently, Tripura has only one working women’s hostel. The government has planned 10 more, with foundation stones already laid at Ambassa, Dharmanagar, and Kailashahar, in addition to Monday’s five. Hostels will also be constructed in Udaipur and Kumarghat in the future. Each modern hostel will include a gym, recreation facilities, childcare, and other advanced amenities, costing ₹11.40 crore each.
Dr. Saha also highlighted that the Social Welfare and Social Education Department currently provides social pensions to about four lakh beneficiaries. One-Stop Centers in all districts have extended support to 261 women so far. Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, 1,45,806 pregnant and lactating women have received financial aid amounting to ₹74 crore, while 43,664 pregnant women benefitted under the state’s Matri Pushti Uphaar scheme with an assistance of ₹8.73 crore. Poshan Abhiyaan has supported 9,188 children. Since April 2023, 1,402 Anganwadi workers and 1,615 helpers have been appointed.
Symbolically, nutrition kits were handed over to beneficiaries and smartphones to Anganwadi workers during the program.
Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy, addressing the gathering, said the department delivers services from birth to death. At present, there are 10,275 Anganwadi centres in the state, catering to 2,82,231 children aged 0–6 years. Plans are underway to open 345 more centres, with 100 identified to be run in English medium. Additionally, 101 Anganwadi workers have been promoted to the post of supervisor on an ad-hoc basis.
Minister Roy also announced that the Puja allowance for Anganwadi workers has been increased by ₹210, raising it to ₹2,310. Besides, ₹2,000 will be provided as a one-time mobile bill allowance and ₹1,000 for sarees, all to be credited to their accounts before Durga Puja.
The event also featured a short documentary showcasing various developmental works of the department. The welcome address was delivered by department secretary Tapas Roy, and the vote of thanks by Director Tapan Kumar Das.
