Agartala, Aug 30: Tripura is moving ahead with a renewed focus on employment generation, skill development and women’s economic empowerment as part of the state government’s efforts to build a self-reliant and developed state, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said on Sunday.

Speaking at a programme at Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala, Dr. Saha handed over appointment letters to 16 newly recruited drivers of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Congratulating the recruits, the Chief Minister said a government job should be viewed not only as a means of livelihood but also as an opportunity to serve society. He urged the newly appointed drivers to discharge their duties with honesty, dedication and perseverance.

Dr. Saha said the government has been implementing a range of initiatives aimed at expanding employment opportunities, strengthening skill development, empowering women and improving the delivery of government services.

Support extended to 180 women:

The programme also focused on strengthening women’s financial independence. The Chief Minister distributed sewing machines and a stipend of Rs 2,000 each to 180 trained women beneficiaries under the Agartala Municipal Corporation.

According to Dr. Saha, such initiatives can help women turn their skills into sustainable sources of income and become financially self-reliant. He expressed hope that the beneficiaries would make effective use of the support to improve their livelihoods and socio-economic conditions.

Manubankul fire station inaugurated:

Another major highlight of the programme was the virtual inauguration of a newly constructed fire station at Manubankul in Sabroom by the Chief Minister.

The facility is Tripura’s 52nd fire station. Dr. Saha said the new station would address a long-standing demand of residents of Sabroom and neighbouring areas while improving the state’s fire and emergency response network.

The programme was attended by Minister Santana Chakma, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder, Secretary Kiran Gitte, senior government officials and other dignitaries.

‘Mann Ki Baat’

Before the main event, Dr. Saha and other participants listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, at the Muktadhara Auditorium.

The Chief Minister described the programme as an important platform through which the Prime Minister connects with people across the country and highlights stories of achievement, innovation and community-led initiatives.

He said ‘Mann Ki Baat’ also encourages citizens to undertake constructive initiatives and contributes to bringing grassroots success stories to a wider national audience.

The programme further underlined the role of party workers in communicating government welfare schemes, development initiatives and public-oriented programmes to people at the grassroots level.