Agartala, Aug 15: Tripura Chief Minister, Dr Manik Saha, declared a relentless campaign against drug trafficking during the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the Assam Rifles ground in Agartala on Tuesday.

Saha announced that a comprehensive approach to combat the drug menace had led to the apprehension of 1224 drug peddlers since the previous year. The state has also seized an assortment of drugs amounting to a total value of Rs 86 crore.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to eradicating drug-related issues, Saha revealed that a Special Investigating Team (SIT) had been established under the Crime Branch of the police. This initiative aims to effectively address the challenges posed by drug trafficking and addiction.

Switching focus to economic achievements, the Chief Minister highlighted Tripura’s impressive growth in exports.

He announced that during the 2022-23 fiscal year, the state had exported goods worth Rs 121.37 crore, marking a sevenfold increase compared to the international trade figures of 2018-19.

Saha further disclosed that with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the state government was set to invest Rs 1200 crore in the establishment of industrial estates across six districts.

In a bid to showcase regional and national products, Saha unveiled plans for a “Unity Mall” on the outskirts of the capital city. The project, estimated at a cost of Rs 130 crore, aims to bolster trade and foster economic growth.

The Chief Minister also underlined the government’s dedication to tribal development. Notably, the budget allocation for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) saw an increase from Rs 619.26 crore to Rs 672.64 crore in the current financial year.

Saha also highlighted significant international support for tribal development. The World Bank has approved Rs 1,400 crore for the “Tripura Rural Economy Growth” and “Sustainable Service Delivery Project.” Additionally, he mentioned the initiation of the “Mukhyamantri Tribal Development Mission” to uplift the tribal regions of the state.

Promoting gender empowerment, Saha emphasized that under the Tripura State Policy for Empowerment of Women, one-third of government job seats were reserved for women.

The Chief Minister also mentioned the adoption of the National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm cultivation in Tripura, targeting the cultivation of 1700 hectares of land.

Among other welfare initiatives, Saha introduced the “CM-SATH” scheme, which pledges to grant Rs 5,000 per month to 200 meritorious students who successfully pass their secondary and higher secondary examinations.

Addressing road safety concerns, Saha acknowledged the grim reality of road accidents. He disclosed that 358 fatalities were recorded in road accidents in Tripura over the past year.

As part of the festivities, a diverse array of events, performances, and functions were organized by the government and numerous other organizations throughout Tripura.

Also Read: BSF offers sweets to its Bangladesh counterpart in Tripura on 77th Independence Day of India

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/nemediahub