Agartala Oct 28: The Tripura cabinet on Tuesday approved 'Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana', fulfilling the state government’s announcement in the latest budget.

Envisioned by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, the 'Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana' aims at securing the future of girl children born into Antyodaya families.

Announced officially during a press briefing on Tuesday by Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, the scheme places child protection and gender equity at the forefront of the state’s social welfare agenda.

Under this initiative, families with up to two daughters born in Antyodaya households will receive a fixed deposit of Rs 50,000 per child at birth. However, the amount will be accessible once the girl turns 18, intended to support her higher education, marriage, or other essential needs.

Few of the eligibility conditions include the mother being at least 18 years and 9 months old at the time of childbirth and the birth must occur in a government hospital.

The scheme’s core objective is to discourage child marriage and provide financial security to girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, said Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.

In addition, the Cabinet approved the recruitment of 108 engineers under Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), including posts across Grade A and Grade B in electrical, mechanical, and civil streams.

The recruitment will be conducted through TSECL’s own examination process. Posts include: Electrical Manager (Grade A): 24; Mechanical Manager (Grade A): 4; Civil Manager (Grade A): 8; Electrical Manager (Grade B): 58; Mechanical Manager (Grade B): 2 and Civil Manager (Grade B): 8

Another significant decision was the launch of a Minority Development Scheme, under which religious minority beneficiaries will receive Rs 10,000 in two installments to support small-scale ventures such as poultry and duckery. The scheme under Minority Department will initially target 1,500 beneficiaries in the first phase.

To promote women’s economic empowerment, especially in rural areas, the Cabinet also sanctioned the formation of the 'Tripura Women Entrepreneurship Policy'.

Women entrepreneurs will be eligible for loans up to Rs 1 crore through the Industry Department, with a 5 percent interest concession compared to male applicants.

Minister Chowdhury noted that similar policies are already in place in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, and expressed confidence that Tripura’s women will now be able to compete equally in the business sector.

Furthermore, a proposal was approved for the establishment of a new women’s college at Nalchar under the Higher Education Department, aimed at expanding access to higher education for girls in the region.