Recalling the martyrs of India’s freedom struggle, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday highlighted the different initiatives adopted by his government in different sectors, including law and order, agriculture, education, employment, etc, and urged youths to pursue their passion for Viksit Bharat.
He said Tripura has seen significant economic development in recent years, with over 12 per cent hike in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last fiscal, catapulting the state to second position in the North East region.
“On this 79th Independence Day, let’s ignite our souls with the heroic valour of Operation Sindoor, where our bravehearts redefined courage. I appeal to the Youths to unleash your passion for a #ViksitBharat & New India—fuel nationalism, dream big, and shape a glorious future,” CM Saha wrote on X.
“Tripura’s economy is mainly based on agriculture. Last year, some initiatives were taken by the government for farmers’ development”, said CM.
While detailing about the initiatives, he said that the state government spent Rs 15 crore under Mukhyamantri Integrates Crop Management to expand 92,588 hectares area for rice cultivation, brought another 20,161 hectares area under organic farming, distributed 11,444 agricultural equipment among farmers and 35,661 soil health cards, disbursed Rs 450 crore as farmers’ loan under Kisan credit card scheme, provided Rs 201 crore to 2.38 lakh farmers directly in their bank accounts till this August under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
He said his government provided Rs 109.34 crore to over 2.13 lakh farmers who were affected by the flood last year.
Around 25,000 farmers were enrolled for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and the state government provided Rs 32.75 crore as assistance and subsidy under Mukhyamantri Fasal Bima Yojana in the 2020-21 fiscal.
Story continues below this ad
In the dairy and poultry sectors, the state produced over 2.47 lakh tonnes of milk, 59,700 tonnes of meat, and 36 crore eggs in the 2023-24 fiscal year. During the period, the state produced 85,800 metric tonnes of fish and 45.65 crore fish fingerlings that helped the state to attain self-sufficiency in fish production and export fish to neighbouring states.
“Tripura has topped in egg production and second in meat and milk production in the Northeast Region. Tripura is in the second position in fish production in the region,” said the CM.
CM Saha highlighted that the crime rate in the state declined last year, with 19.4 per cent fewer crimes than the cases in 2023 and 12.35 per cent fewer crime cases in the first five months this year compared to 2024.
The state also achieved success in combating drugs, as records showed a 106 per cent rise in the seizure of drugs and other narcotic items last year. The officials also destroyed a massive amount of drugs during the period, a rise of 132 per cent, he said.
Story continues below this ad
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for Atmanirbhar Bharat, CM Saha stated that it was not only a mere slogan but a resolution for 140 crores Indians to become self-reliant.
The CM emphasised the need to push for Swadeshi products, saying that the Tripura government launched ‘Vocal for Local’ to prioritise the state-produced products.
Saha said that the state is focusing on the indigenous people’s overall development by implementing several schemes for their socio-economic development. The state would launch the ‘Super 100’ programme under the Mukhyamantri Janajati Unnayan Mission to impart training to the meritorious students, he added.
In the tourism sector, CM Saha stated that different facelift works for Chaturdash Devata temple, Chhabimura, Kasba Kalibari, etc., are in progress.
Story continues below this ad
The chief minister said the government filled up 19,765 regular posts at different departments since 2018.
Former CM Biplab Kumar Deb donates blood
Former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb hoisted the national Tricolor at his residence in Agartala and celebrated the day by donating blood at Amarpur in Gomati district, interacting with security personnel, and visiting Shantikali Ashram in the area.
Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma, who was elected from Asharambari in Khowai district, took part in the Independence Day celebrations in the district. Recounting Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel, and others who struggled for the Independence of the nation, Debbarma said that Independence isn’t a gift, but a duty to ensure that people can live together with equal rights everywhere in the country.
Chef Whip Kalyani Roy, while taking part in the celebrations at Teliamura, said that the motto of this Independence Day is ‘New India’ and said the spirit of freedom is not about anecdotes of the past alone, but a vision for the future as well.
Story continues below this ad
At Udaipur in Gomati district, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy joined the celebrations at Udaipur Sports Complex. He paid homage to the brave freedom fighters who made a supreme sacrifice in the struggle for Independence. “Independence Day is a Red-Letter day for all of us. We should never forget that our nation got freedom due to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters,” he said.
Social Welfare Minister Tinku Roy joined the Independence Day celebrations at Unakoti district and said the central and state governments in Tripura are working to develop education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, employment, and other crucial sectors to fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters.
‘BJP and VHP had sided with the British’: Gopal Chandra Roy
Meanwhile, in a sharp critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress MLA and veteran legislator Gopal Chandra Roy said, “The BJP was born in 1980. Before that, there was the Jana Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). They had no role in the nationalist movement. The BJP was not there. The BJP and VHP had sided with the British; they were ‘Razakars’ (pro-Pakistani activists who were active in different parts of India before the Independence). They never participated in the Independence movement. The Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, fought against the British, and eventually, the British had to flee”.
CPI(M) celebrates Independence Day
The Opposition CPI(M) celebrated the day by hosting the Tricolor at the Communist Party headquarters in Agartala, which was attended by former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Opposition Leader and politburo member Jitendra Chaudhury, and former deputy speaker Pabitra Kar.
Story continues below this ad
“Democracy in the country is under attack. There is a concerted conspiracy to destroy secularism and change the Constitution itself. The working class, which comprises more than 75 per cent of the population, is still struggling to make ends meet. All democratic people of the country need to unite today and work towards developing these sectors, fight against communalism, and develop democracy, secularism. Only then, the spirit of Independence would be honoured,” Manik Sarkar said after joining a voluntary blood donation camp in Agartala.
Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman joined the Independence Day celebrations. He reminded that it was the Congress that had struggled to free India from British colonialism. “The freedom fighters belonged to the Congress party. We are soldiers of the same party. Even today, the Congress party is struggling to protect the rights of Indians under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi,” he said.
