Agartala, June 16 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the state government has undertaken a series of initiatives to improve the socio-economic condition of the people and remains committed to the welfare and development of those living in the state’s backward and remote areas.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while virtually inaugurating 15 development projects in northern Tripura’s Dhalai district, including the newly constructed two-storey building of Halahali Class XII School in Kamalpur.

Addressing a function held at Halahali, Saha said that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government has been implementing a wide range of development projects across Tripura. He said special emphasis has been placed on the development of aspirational blocks and that several initiatives are being undertaken to improve the quality of education in the state.

“Special importance has been given to the development of aspirational blocks in the state, and various projects are being implemented to improve the quality of education,” the Chief Minister said.

Highlighting the government’s efforts in the education sector, Saha said initiatives such as Smart Classes, Nipun Tripura and the distribution of bicycles to girl students are being implemented across the state. “Work is underway to establish 21 Eklavya Model Residential Schools to enhance educational opportunities for tribal students,” he said.

Referring to improvements in the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister said that health services in Tripura have witnessed significant progress compared to the past.

“Medical services have been ensured for all through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana. People from all sections of society have been brought under the ambit of various government welfare schemes through initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM-Kisan and PM-JANMAN,” Saha said.

The Chief Minister also underscored the importance accorded by Prime Minister Modi to women’s empowerment and said the state government has undertaken several measures in line with that vision.

“Keeping that goal in mind, the state government has taken various steps for women’s empowerment. As many as 55,000 self-help groups have already been formed to promote self-reliance among women, and more than five lakh women are now associated with these groups,” he said.

Saha further said that the state government has received around 350 national awards in recognition of its achievements and successful implementation of various developmental and welfare programmes.

The projects inaugurated by the Chief Minister include the renovation of Ambassa Degree College; construction of a two-storey building for Kamalpur English Medium Class XII School; additional classrooms, a library and a laboratory at Salema Class XII School; two new Anganwadi centres; one box culvert; three cement concrete (CC) roads; one paver block road; and two brick-paved roads.

Besides inaugurating the projects, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for the Salema Primary Health Centre in Dhalai district and a bridge in Shantirbazar.

Among those present at the function were MLA Manoj Kanti Deb, Dhalai District Magistrate Vivek H.B., Dhalai Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Sushmita Das, and other senior officials.

–IANS

sc/uk