Tripura government launches Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana to curb child marriage and empower girl children from Antyodaya families with financial aid. The Cabinet also approved new women’s college, recruitment drives, and minority welfare schemes for inclusive development.
The Tripura Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, has approved the launch of the Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana. The initiative, unveiled by Minister Sushanta Chowdhury during a press briefing on Tuesday, underscores the state’s commitment to securing the future of girl children from economically weaker sections.
Financial Security for the Girl Child
The Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana is designed to benefit girl children born into Antyodaya families — those from the lowest economic strata. Under this welfare program, each eligible family with up to two daughters will receive a fixed deposit of ₹50,000 per child at the time of birth. The deposited amount will mature and become accessible when the girl turns 18 years old, ensuring a secure fund for her higher education, marriage, or other vital needs.
Announcing the scheme, Minister Chowdhury said, “The core objective of this initiative is to discourage child marriage and provide long-term financial stability to girls from financially vulnerable backgrounds. This is a step towards a safer and more empowered generation of women in Tripura.”
To qualify, certain eligibility criteria have been defined. The mother must be at least 18 years and 9 months old at the time of childbirth, and the delivery must occur in a government hospital. The move is expected to encourage institutional births while reinforcing awareness against underage marriage.
Tripura’s Broader Development Agenda
The announcement of the Balika Samriddhi Yojana came alongside several other major Cabinet decisions aimed at boosting employment, education, and entrepreneurship across the state.
In a key decision, the Cabinet approved the recruitment of 108 engineers under the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). These positions will be filled through TSECL’s own recruitment examination and will include roles across electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering streams.
The distribution of posts is as follows:
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Electrical Manager (Grade A): 24
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Mechanical Manager (Grade A): 4
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Civil Manager (Grade A): 8
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Electrical Manager (Grade B): 58
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Mechanical Manager (Grade B): 2
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Civil Manager (Grade B): 8
The move aims to strengthen the technical backbone of Tripura’s power sector while generating employment opportunities for local engineers.
Support for Minority and Women Empowerment
Another significant Cabinet decision was the introduction of a Minority Development Scheme aimed at supporting small-scale income-generating activities. Under the scheme, religious minority beneficiaries will receive ₹10,000 in two instalments to start ventures such as poultry or duckery. The scheme, to be implemented under the Minority Department, will initially cover 1,500 beneficiaries in its first phase.
To further promote women’s economic independence, the Cabinet has approved the Tripura Women Entrepreneurship Policy. Under this new policy, women entrepreneurs will be eligible to avail of loans up to ₹1 crore from the Industry Department. A key highlight is the 5 percent interest concession for women borrowers compared to their male counterparts.
Minister Chowdhury noted, “This policy mirrors successful initiatives in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. It will create a level playing field for Tripura’s women entrepreneurs and encourage more participation in the industrial and service sectors.”
Expansion of Women’s Higher Education
In an effort to expand educational opportunities for women, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of a new women’s college at Nalchar under the Higher Education Department. The proposed college will cater to the growing demand for higher education among girls in the region, particularly those from rural and semi-urban backgrounds.
A Vision for an Empowered Tripura
With these progressive initiatives, the Tripura government has set a strong precedent in promoting gender equality, economic self-reliance, and inclusive development.
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The Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana is expected to become a cornerstone policy in the state’s social welfare framework—empowering girls, discouraging child marriage, and nurturing a generation of educated and independent women.
