Agartala, Oct 23: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday emphasised the need for accountability in public life, saying elected representatives must earn people’s trust through tangible development work rather than mere promises.
He made the remarks after inaugurating the newly constructed Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Community Hall at Vaishnabtila in Amtali, an initiative of Agartala Municipal Corporation’s Ward No. 49.
Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder, Deputy Mayor Monika Das Datta, MLA Meena Rani Sarkar, local corporator Harisadhan Debnath and other dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Saha said people elect their representatives with hopes and expectations, making it their responsibility to remain accessible, understand public concerns and work sincerely for the welfare of their constituencies.
Accountability, he said, should remain central to governance at every level, whether it involves local body elections, Assembly polls or parliamentary elections.
The chief minister observed that making promises during election campaigns was relatively easy, but fulfilling them through concrete development initiatives was the real test of leadership.
He urged elected representatives to assess their performance and consider what answers they would give voters if they failed to contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective areas.
Public confidence, Saha said, could be strengthened through visible results, continuous engagement with citizens and a sincere commitment to resolving their problems.
Highlighting the importance of development-oriented governance, he said progress should not remain confined to official records and government documents but must translate into improvements in people’s everyday lives.
He stressed the need for sustained attention to essential civic services, including roads, drinking water, electricity and sanitation. Elected representatives should regularly interact with residents, listen to their grievances and ensure timely intervention to address local issues, he added.
Referring to the legacy of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, after whom the community hall has been named, Saha said his ideals underscored the importance of patriotism, social responsibility and dedication to public service.
He said community infrastructure should serve purposes beyond providing physical facilities and function as a platform for social interaction, cultural activities and collective engagement.
The chief minister also said the state government’s development agenda, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, aims to ensure that the benefits of growth reach all sections of society.
Close coordination among elected representatives, government departments and citizens is necessary to achieve this objective, he added.
The newly inaugurated community hall is expected to provide residents of Vaishnabtila and adjoining areas with a dedicated venue for social, cultural and community programmes.
