The main aim of the government is to deliver the facilities of central schemes to the people. Tripura government is heading forward on the same path. The central government has taken various initiatives to deliver the basic needs to the people, stated Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu in a review meeting held at the conference hall of the State Guest House today on progress of different central schemes in Tripura. He reviewed developmental works of different departments including Drinking Water & Sanitation, Water Resources, Swachha Bharat Mission-Gramin, Tribal Welfare department etc. MP Rebati Tripura, Chairman of Brahmaputra Board Rajiv Yadav, Principal Secretary Puneet Agarwal, Secretary Kiran Gitte and officials of concerned departments joined the meeting.
MoS of Tribals Affairs and Jal Shakti said, different departments have to work cooperatively to deliver the facilities of central schemes to the people. Chief Engineer of Drinking Water & Sanitation department Rajib Debbarma in the meeting informed, free drinking water connection through tap connection were provided to 3 lakh 81 thousand 115 families in the state till March 10 through which 50.14% households were benefitted. Only 3.22% of households in the state has drinking water connection prior Jal Jeevan Mission started in August 14, 2019. Presently, average drinking water connection of the state is higher than the central average. He also informed that drinking water connection through tap connection has been arranged in 74.86% schools and 52.75% Anganwadi Centres of the state.
MoS of Tribals Affairs and Jal Shakti said, the concerned department has to see that the drinking water is not wasted. He also asked DWS and Power department to work cooperatively. He called on the concerned departments to work paying special attention so that drinking water facility reaches far flung areas. Speaking about Swachha Bharat Mission-Gramin, Chief Engineer Rajib Debbarma said, 3 lakh 79 thousand 840 new toilets and 110 public toilets have been constructed in first phase under the scheme. Besides, Tripura was declared as Open-Defecation Free state in March 2, 2019. In the second phase of the scheme, 8 cluster-level Govardhan Project including 65 thousand 537 more new toilets, 77 public toilets were constructed.
Secretary of Water Resources department Kiran Gitte in the meeting informed, there is 2 lakh 55 thousand 241 Ha of cultivable land in the state so far, of which 1 lakh 18 thousand 752 Ha land has been brought under water irrigation system. The department is working on bringing more 34 thousand 393 Ha land under cultivation within the next 4 years. Water irrigation system is being continued in the state through Lift Irrigation Scheme, High Power Lift Irrigation Scheme, Diversion Scheme, Medium Irrigation Scheme, Deep Tube Well, Shallow Deep Tube Well Scheme.
Speaking about the works carried out by Tribal Welfare department, Director of the department Dr. Bishal Kumar said, 69% of area of the state is under TTAADC. The state government has been working on development of the widespread area from the start. Residential schools for students, stipend, scholarship, coaching for drop-outs and merit award etc., have been arranged to improve education sector for the students. Assistances are being given to tribal people in farming, horticulture, rubber, bamboo, fish farming, tobacco. Jackfruit, pineapple cultivation. The government is working on priority basis to improve health system and infrastructure of the tribal areas. A new scheme- Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission was launched in August 14, 2021. Through which 30,000 Ha area will be brought under rubber cultivation in the next 5 years benefitting 30,000 beneficiaries. 2 thousand 989 beneficiaries have cultivated rubber on 2372.52 Ha land till March, 2022 so far at the cost of Rs 103.41 crore.
