Tripura CM Manik Saha distributed appointment letters to 211 recruits in the Agriculture and Power departments, emphasising merit-based recruitment, skill development, agricultural self-sufficiency, rural electrification and improved public services to accelerate the state’s development.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday asserted that government jobs in Tripura were being provided strictly on the basis of merit, without political interference, favouritism or personal connections, as he handed over appointment letters to 211 newly recruited candidates in the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Power departments.
Addressing the appointment letter distribution ceremony at Matangini Pritilata Auditorium here, the Chief Minister said the successful candidates had secured their jobs through hard work, perseverance and dedication, supported by the sacrifices made by their families.
“Government jobs are now being provided transparently, without political interference or personal connections. Merit and hard work are the only criteria,” he said.
Of the 211 candidates, 131 were appointed as Agriculture Officers in the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, while 80 received appointment letters as Degree and Diploma Managers in the Power Department.
Congratulating the newly recruited employees, Saha urged them to remain abreast of technological developments and make effective use of modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence and 5G technology, to improve public service delivery.
He said government employees must constantly upgrade their knowledge and skills, adapt to emerging challenges and work with dedication for the welfare of the people.
Emphasising the importance of patriotism and commitment to public service, the Chief Minister said a genuine sense of responsibility towards the country was essential for contributing meaningfully to its development.
Highlighting the state government’s employment initiatives, Saha said efforts were being made not only to provide government jobs but also to tackle unemployment by promoting skill development and self-employment opportunities.
He said nearly two lakh youths had so far received skill-development training under various initiatives aimed at making them economically self-reliant.
Turning to agriculture, the Chief Minister stressed the need to increase productivity through scientific farming practices, improved seeds, modern equipment and technological interventions.
He said Tripura currently had 47 agriculture sub-divisions and the government had decided to establish an agriculture sub-division in every block to strengthen agricultural services at the grassroots level. The state also has 130 agriculture sector offices.
Giving an account of the government’s agricultural initiatives, Saha said that since 2018, around 2.79 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured from more than 1.44 lakh farmers at the minimum support price (MSP), with approximately Rs 573 crore transferred directly to their bank accounts.
Under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, more than 2.85 lakh farmers in Tripura had received financial assistance totalling Rs 1,021 crore, while over 1.29 lakh farmers had received Rs 11 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
He also highlighted the implementation of the Soil Health Card and Kisan Credit Card schemes, promotion of organic farming, expansion of hybrid paddy cultivation and the Mukhyamantri Shasya Shyamala Yojana.
Referring to the Power Department, Saha said the government had undertaken extensive infrastructure development over the past eight years to improve the reliability, safety and reach of electricity supply.
According to figures presented by the Chief Minister, 45 new 33-kV substations had been established, 410 km of power lines extended, 5,516 new distribution transformers installed, 2,582 km of additional distribution lines laid and 371 km of underground cables installed during the period.
He further said that 11,692 families belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), particularly the Reang community, had been provided electricity connections under the PM JANMAN scheme.
The Chief Minister also referred to the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the state’s electricity infrastructure and promote renewable energy.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture and Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said Tripura had made considerable progress towards agricultural self-sufficiency.
He claimed that South Tripura, Gomati and Sepahijala districts had achieved self-sufficiency in foodgrain production, while Khowai had become self-sufficient in rice production. Unakoti and Dhalai districts were also progressing towards foodgrain self-sufficiency.
Nath said the government was now focusing on expanding natural and organic farming, besides increasing the area under oil palm cultivation to diversify agricultural production and improve farmers’ incomes.
Providing details of recruitment in the Agriculture Department, he said 787 people had been appointed to regular posts during the past eight years, while another 127 had secured employment under the die-in-harness scheme. Besides, 1,336 employees had received promotions during the period.
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In the Power Department, 994 people had been recruited over the past eight years, he added.
The Minister said that among the 131 newly appointed Agriculture Officers, 70 were men and 61 women. Of the 80 candidates appointed in the Power Department, 58 were men and 22 women.
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The programme began with a welcome address by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Secretary Apurba Roy, while Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Managing Director Biswajit Basu proposed the vote of thanks.
Power Department Secretary Abhishek Singh and other senior officials were also present at the ceremony.
