Tripura makes significant advancements in all segments: Nath
AGARTALA: Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath said Tripura has made significant advancements in all segments in recent years. The minister was speaking at the inauguration of five development projects in Unakoti district Monday.
Nath detailed the projects, which collectively cost over Rs 15 crore. The initiatives include the inauguration of the Betchhara Rural Market, built for Rs 2.20 crore and the new office building of the Kumarghat Electrical Division with an estimated cost of Rs 5.97 crore.
The Susangata Seed Processing Centre, costing Rs 1.87 crore, and the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture (Horticulture) and Soil Conservation, estimated at Rs 2.79 crore were also inaugurated.
The Minister claimed a rise in the per capita income in Tripura from Rs 1,04,000 to Rs 1,98,000. Housing conditions have improved remarkably, with the number of pucca houses rising from 78,000 to 4,94,000 and an additional 2.5 lakh houses are being sanctioned, he added.
Access to piped drinking water has also expanded from 24,000 houses to 6,22,000.
"Food security is another area of focus, with all low-income families receiving 5 kg of rice per person each month, benefiting nearly 24.76 lakh individuals. The Minister affirmed improvements in clothing, healthcare, and education services, alongside an increase in the average life expectancy, projected to rise from 74 to 80 years by 2030," Ratan Lal Nath asserted.
Infrastructure development has seen a substantial upgrade, with national highways expanding from 199 kilometers to 923 kilometers. The average monthly income for farmers has doubled from Rs 6,580 in 2015-16 to Rs 13,590 today. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, 2,85,571 farmers have received substantial financial support. The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme has disbursed agricultural loans totaling Rs 2,711 crore to over 4,57,170 farmers, while premiums under the PMFBY scheme have drastically decreased.
The Tripura government has also increased its paddy procurement from farmers, ensuring fair payment for over 1 lakh 40 thousand individuals. In total, 50,089 improved agricultural machines have been distributed, amounting to a subsidy of Rs 233.63 crore, a stark contrast to the previous government's efforts.
Currently, 42,000 farmers are engaged in natural farming across 16,800 hectares, marking a significant shift in agricultural practices. Furthermore, 204 market development projects have been initiated since 2018, with a budget of Rs 461.83 crore allocated to enhance local economic growth.