The Tripura Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to constitute Panchayat-level adjudication bodies under the Centre’s Nari Adalat scheme on a pilot basis in 10 gram panchayats across the state. The decision was among several key measures cleared by the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Cabinet spokesperson and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the Nari Adalat initiative would be rolled out in Fulbari (North Tripura), Srirampur (Unakoti), West Sonatala (Khowai), Lembucherra (West Tripura), Khedabari (Sepahijala), Tepania (Gomati), Vivekananda Palli (South Tripura), and Singanala, Halahali and North Halahali in Dhalai district.
Describing it as a pilot project launched as per the Centre’s direction, the minister said the scheme has been introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide accessible justice mechanisms for women at the grassroots level. Under the guidelines, each selected panchayat will form a committee of up to nine members comprising socially respected individuals such as retired teachers, political functionaries and social workers.
“These panels will have the authority to adjudicate matters related to atrocities against women and recommend police action wherever necessary,” Chowdhury said. He added that the Nari Adalats would function in a manner similar to arbitration forums at the panchayat level, offering a less intimidating platform for women who may feel hesitant to approach police or formal law enforcement agencies.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved guidelines to provide coaching support to graduates domiciled in Tripura for national-level competitive examinations conducted by bodies such as the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.
Coaching centres will be established at Bir Chandra State Central Library in Agartala, Netaji Subhash Mahavidyalaya in Udaipur and Government Degree College in Ambassa, each accommodating up to 100 eligible aspirants. Selection will be based on merit through a screening test conducted by the Higher Education Department. Funds for the initiative were earmarked in the previous state budget.
The Cabinet also enhanced the daily stipend for Scheduled Caste hostel boarders from Rs 80 to Rs 100, benefiting 712 students across 54 hostels statewide.
Additionally, approval was granted for the direct recruitment of 32 junior drivers in the Health and Family Welfare Department on a fixed-pay basis through the Transport Department. The government also cleared proposals to fill 10 Revenue Inspector posts and six Assistant Survey Officer posts through the Tripura Public Service Commission.
