Agartala, May 3: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday announced that Tripura has received ₹157 crore from the 15th Finance Commission for the financial year 2024–25. The announcement was made during the state-level National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations held at A.D. Nagar in Agartala.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Saha stated that the funds have been distributed across various levels, including panchayats and village councils, to strengthen rural governance and development. Emphasizing the role of panchayats in grassroots administration, he declared all Panchayats in Tripura as disability-friendly and unveiled the Panchayat department’s monthly newsletter ‘Gram Srijan’ and its annual report.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat through the upliftment of rural communities. He highlighted several initiatives undertaken to empower the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, noting that national awards earned by the state reflect these ongoing efforts.
“Panchayati Raj is an important pillar of rural development. It is directly connected with the people. All development works are implemented through this system,” Dr. Saha said.
Over the past two years, the state has built 44 new Panchayat Bhavans, four District Panchayat Resource Centres, and eight Panchayat Learning Centres. Additionally, 25 institutions, including 15 panchayats, are undergoing ISO-standard upgrades.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Panchayat department and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong for advanced training programs. The initiative was lauded by IIM Shillong Director Professor Nalini Prabha Tripathi for its progressive approach to rural governance.
The event also featured the presentation of awards in various categories to recognize excellence in Panchayati Raj institutions, with participation from senior officials and local representatives.