Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said the state will implement the Uniform Civil Code whenever directed by the Centre, while noting possible tribal-area exemptions and outlining the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan focused on public welfare and governance.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday said the state government would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) whenever a decision is taken and formally communicated by the Centre. His remarks came while interacting with media persons after announcing details of the state’s month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which will focus on public service, good governance and welfare delivery.
Responding to questions about the recent statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the implementation of the UCC in BJP-ruled states, Saha said Tripura would follow any decision taken by the Central government.
“I have also come across the matter through the media. Whenever the central government takes any decision on the matter, we shall definitely follow that as and when communicated,” the Chief Minister said.
The issue of the UCC has particular significance in Tripura because several tribal areas are governed by customary practices and traditions concerning matters such as marriage and inheritance. Asked whether the proposed uniform legal framework could affect such customary laws, Saha indicated that tribal areas may receive an exemption.
“So far I know, the tribal areas may get an exemption from the Uniform Civil Code,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, did not provide details about how any potential exemption would be structured, stressing that the state government would act according to the decision communicated by the Centre.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to Run From September 17 to October 17
The UCC remarks came after Saha announced the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long programme scheduled to be organised across Tripura from September 17 to October 17 to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service.
According to the Chief Minister, the campaign will highlight the principles of Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan, or service, good governance and welfare of the poor. The campaign will be guided by the motto “Jan Seva Hi Prabhu Seva”, with an emphasis on ensuring that government welfare schemes reach the last person in society.
Saha said the public-service journey being commemorated began on October 7, 2001, when Narendra Modi first took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat. He described 25 years of public service and receiving the mandate of people in India’s diverse democracy as an important chapter in the country’s democratic history.
A series of programmes will be organised under the campaign, including Ashirwad Ka Diya, Mere Sapno Ka Bharat Chitra Seva, Namo Seva Ankahi Kahaniyan, Angan Milan Seva, Seva Ki Kahani, Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra, Seva Meri Yogdan, Seva Setu Abhiyan, Seva Ke Rang Rashtra Ke Sang, Seva First Innovation Challenge, Sushasan Samvad and Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra.
Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy has been appointed as the nodal minister for overseeing the campaign in Tripura. Guardian ministers have also been assigned responsibilities for different districts, while MLAs and other elected representatives will participate in implementing the programmes.
A committee comprising government secretaries and district magistrates has been constituted to prepare the action plan and monitor progress. The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs will serve as the nodal department.
85 Mega Camps Planned Under Seva Setu
In view of the upcoming Village Committee elections, Saha said programmes after the September 17 launch would resume from September 29 and continue until October 17.
Activities based on 25 different themes of public service will be organised at various locations with public participation. At least two locations in every Assembly constituency will host such programmes.
A major component will be the Seva Setu Abhiyan, under which 85 mega camps are scheduled between September 29 and October 17. These camps will help people access welfare schemes of both the Central and state governments.
The camps will include 58 block headquarters, 20 urban locations and four zones in Agartala. Additional camps will also be organised in panchayat and municipal areas depending on local requirements.
The government is also coordinating with the Union Ministry of Rural Development for a national programme at four important locations across the country. Saha said Tripura was considering sending volunteers to the proposed Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra.
CM Defends Tripura’s Durga Puja Carnival
During the interaction, Saha was also asked about the reported decision of the West Bengal government concerning the Durga Puja carnival and whether it could have any impact on Tripura’s own post-Durga Puja carnival.
The Chief Minister said the carnival in West Bengal had been a subject of controversy and that the government there had taken its decision considering the circumstances of that state.
He said the situation in Tripura was different, describing the state’s Durga Puja carnival as a celebration enjoyed by people from different sections of society.
Warning Over Social Media Claims on Child’s Treatment
Saha also addressed controversial statements circulating on social media regarding the treatment of Manasree Chowdhury, a young girl suffering from SMA type-I, a rare medical condition.
The Chief Minister warned that action would be taken according to law if anyone was found spreading false propaganda against the state government.
“If anyone is trying to make false propaganda against the state government, action would be initiated as per law,” Saha said.
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The Chief Minister’s comments thus covered both the Centre’s proposed approach to the UCC and the state government’s wider public-service agenda. While indicating that Tripura would follow any formal Central decision on the Uniform Civil Code, he also pointed to the possibility of exemptions for tribal areas and customary practices. At the same time, the government is preparing for an extensive month-long campaign aimed at improving public participation and access to welfare schemes across the state.
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