Agartala, Aug 26: Union Minister for rural Development and Panchayeti Raj Giriraj Singh on Friday said the centre has been working with a goal to increase the annual income of women involved in Self Help Groups (SHGs) up to Rs. 1 lakh.

He said the goal has been set for ensuring women empowerment as well as building Swanirbhar Bharat.
The Union Minister, who arrived in Tripura on a three-day tour on Thursday, was addressing the foundation day of East Gakulnagar Gram Panchayat under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna under Sepahijala district.

Addressing the programme, Singh also said, the number of SHGs in Tripura has increased to around 3.5 lakhs and housing benefits were provided to around 3 lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin after the present government was formed in 2018.

He attended the programme along with Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhowmik at Purba Gokulnagar Senior Basic School ground.

On the occasion of foundation Day, the East Gakulnagar Gram Panchayat organized a mega health camp and a blood donation camp, opened exhibition stalls of various SHGs and distributed certificates among the Divyangjan.

Addressing the programme, Bhowmik said, the East Gakulnagar village was included under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna on September 13, 2019. 

She said, while the village saw huge development over the past three years, various government facilities including solar lights, free water connections, electricity connections and housing benefits were provided to the villagers. 

District Magistrate, Sepahijala- Viswashree B. delivered the welcome address while programme was presided over by chairman of Bishalgarh Panchayat Samity Chhanda Debbarma. 

Sabhadhipati of Sepahijala Zila Parishad Supriya Das Dutta, MLA Subhash Chandra Das and Principal Secretary to Rural Development department- L.H. Darlong were also present. 

Meanwhile, the Union Minister along with other dignitaries also inspected a plantation of dragon fruits in Purba Gakulnagar being done under MNREGA.

He also interacted with SHG members of Kakraban Rd Block in Gomti District. The SHG members are doing ornamental fish culture and various activities, generating more than Rs. 1 lakh income per household in a year.

The Union Minister then visited a government piggery farm in South Tripura district and interacted with village organisation for taking commercial piggery farming.

At the evening, the Union Minister held a meeting with the Chief secretary and higher officials; he stressed on creating model village in the state.