Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb addressing media persons at Agartala on Wednesday.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb

During the recent meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarma in the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on rapid and speedy socio-economic development of Tripura. This was stated by Tripura CM Deb on Wednesday.

Deb, who took oath as the new Tripura CM on March 9, along with his deputy Debbarma visited the national capital on March 19 and 20, 2018 and met President Ram Nath Kovind, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Prime Minister Modi and several other Union Ministers including Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

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After a thumping win, BJP leader Deb now leads the BJP-IPFT coalition government in Tripura.

Informing about their visit to the national capital, Chief Minister Deb during a press conference held at Agartala on Wednesday, said that they called on the President on March 19 and had a very positive discussion on various issues being faced by the State Government.

He also informed that Lok Sabha Speaker Mahajan also expressed her desire to ensure her constant support for women empowerment in Tripura and welfare of all the women in the State.

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Deb said, “Prime Minister Modi has focused on rapid and speedy socio-economic development of Tripura.”

Tripura CM Deb also said, “With the PM, we had discussions on the issue of formation of a committee for implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) in Tripura and various other important issues mentioned in the Vision Document of the State Government in very positive manner.”

The CM also informed that he requested the PM to set up All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) like institution in Tripura for providing world-class speciality and super-speciality health facilities in the Tripura which may prove to be of immense help to all the people of Tripura and the neighbouring States and for the patients who come to India from the eastern region of Bangladesh for the purpose of treatment.

Deb said, the PM assured of providing all possible assistance and support to Tripura.

During their meeting with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Deb said they urged him to sanction Rs 350 crore to meet the committed liabilities of erstwhile Special Plan Assistance (SPA) which has been recommended by the NlTl Aayog and the Union Finance Minister also assured of proving all possible financial assistance to the State.

On the meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Deb said, “Discussions were held in details with the Union Home Minister on various issues such as border fencing, maintenance of border roads, etc.”

He informed that Union Home Minister has sanctioned two Indian Reserve (IR) Battalions of State Armed Police Force for Tripura which will generate direct employment for about 2200 youths.

Besides, the Union Home Minister assured to seek feasibility of installation of CCTV cameras on the border fence and to set up the Central Control and Monitoring Rooms so as to prevent any illegal activities on the international border with Bangladesh. The Union Home Minister also assured of all necessary support and cooperation to the State, said Deb.

On the other hand, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar ensured that he would extend full support and cooperation for speedy completion of all the remaining Kendrlya Vldyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas in Tripura.

He also assured of support for setting up of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Tripura on PPP mode. The issue of the salaries of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers was also discussed with the Minister and which was positive, said Deb. The Union Minister also assured of constant support to upgrade the present situation of below average Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Tripura so as to take it above national average in near future.

He also assured of providing all the possible support to the Government of Tripura so as to improve the quality and standard of the teachers, said Deb.

“The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs (Jual Oram) assured of sanctioning 24 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Tripura in next three years and Rs 384 crore for constructions of schools and hostels in addition to the recurring cost of Rs 50 crore per year,” informed Chief Minister Deb.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs also assured of support for hostels for ST boys and girls and livelihood support for forest patta holders in Tripura.

Deb also said, “Union DoNER Minister (Dr Jitendra Singh) assured of full cooperation and support for sanction of funds for all the pending projects in addition to the mobilisation of funding from the corporate sector in Tripura.”

The Union Minister also requested the Tripura CM to ensure that all the urban local bodies are Open Air Defecation (ODF) free with funds under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). The Union Minister assured all the necessary support for Agartala Smart City Project by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The Tripura CM was also assured of support for the externally-aided projects for development of the remaining seven district headquarters at a total cost of Rs 1320 crore.

The Tripura CM along with his deputy also met the Union Minister for Chemical and Fertilisers, who also assured of full support for setting up of CIPET project in Tripura which may provide direct employment to about 5000 unemployed youths per year. It has been agreed to inaugurate this project within the next two months and to name it as Maa Tripura Sundari CIPET.

The Union Minister also assured of support to set up Plastic Waste Management Center near CIPET. The Union Minister in principle set up Plastic Park in Tripura.

Deb wished to review the funding pattern from 50:50 to 90: 10. He expected that this will lead to the generation of direct employment to the tune of 3000-5000.

“There were also discussions on setting up of Petro-Chemical Complex in Tripura which will provide large employment opportunities and value addition for the natural gas resources available in the State,” said Deb, adding, “It has been decided to follow up the matter further with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.”

For promoting Jan-Aushadhi Centers in Tripura, the Union Minister assured that a C&F Agent will be appointed in Tripura to ensure supply of low-cost generic medicines (Jan-Aushadhi) for the benefit of poor patients.

The Tripura CM also had a meeting with Jayant Sinha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, who assured of considering a proposal of the State Government to rename Agartala Airport as Bir Rikram Kishore Manikya Airport shortly.