AGARTALA, June 20 (TIWN): After Maharaja Bir Bikram, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb for the first time in state’s history held an important meeting with the leaders of different communities and took suggestions from them on the economic and cultural growth of indigenous section.

Neither the previous governments nor any Chief Minister had taken such an initiative before this. Naturally, the Samajpatis have expressed their satisfaction over the sincere effort of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. 

In the meeting, the community leaders (Samajpatis) have placed a bunch of demands and also shared their views on important matters apart from giving suggestions for the development of indigenous people. They mainly focused on Customary Laws, cultures, ADC empowerment, drinking water facility and culture.

The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the Community Leaders and also assured them of looking into their demands. Fulfilling the long-standing demand of Samajpatis, the Chief Minister has also announced honorarium of Rs. 2000 per month for them.

The Chief Minister also assured the community leaders that he would take initiative so that such meetings can be conducted up to village level.
“Samajpatis have an important role to play to achieve the goal of Ek Tripura, Shreshta Tripura and reduce the crime rate in their localities,” the Chief Minister said while laying importance on strengthening the coordination between police and community leaders.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the North Eastern states are small in size but every state including Tripura bears a rich cultural heritage.
“We have placed a proposal Rs. 200 crore to the Fifteenth Finance Commission for setting up of a Cultural Hub in the state. The proposed cultural hub will definitely help preserve the culture and tradition of all north-eastern states,” he told the Samajpatis.

He also pointed out the Agartala airport was renamed after Maharaja Bir Bikram, the architect of modern Tripura, after formation of the new government.
He said, “Renaming the Agartala airport after Maharaja Bir Bikram was a difficult task since the previous government in Centre had already taken a cabinet decision that no airport of the country would be renamed after any individual.”
But our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created the history following his affection and love towards the people of Tripura. Now, when the name of Maharaja Bir Bikram is announced in flights during take-off and landing, it makes me feel special,” the Chief Minister said.

Referring to drinking water facility, the Chief Minister said the target of state government is to ensure drinking water facility to every household by December, 2022.
“We have already provided around 68000 free water connections in the first phase. In the current year, we have set target to extend the facility to more three lakh households. And, we are expecting to ensure the drinking water facility to all households well before the stipulated time,” the Chief Minister said adding that a Rs. 1600 crore project for modernization of power services was already underway. He also assured that the transformer-related problems would be solved in next two years.

Speaking on NRC, the Chief Minister said that a section of people had tried to misguide people over the NRC issue. In this context, the Samajpatis have a major role to play, the Chief Minister said.

Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Verma, Social Welfare and Social Education minister Santana Chakma, MP Rebati Tripura and the leaders from twelve indigenous communities were present in the meeting.