Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr) Manik Saha has called for a stronger last-mile approach in implementing welfare and development programmes during DISHA Committee review. He urged officials to remove field-level bottlenecks, improve public awareness and ensure that government benefits reach eligible families without unnecessary delays.
Key Takeaways:
- CM Dr Manik Saha directs officials to expedite implementation of Central schemes and improve field-level coordination.
- Tripura reports 99% completion of 3.76 lakh PMAY-G houses and 6.24 lakh rural tap water connections.
- Health schemes, Anganwadi infrastructure, SHGs, child marriage prevention and sanitation receive special attention.
Agartala, August 18: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha today chaired the state-level DISHA Committee meeting for 2026-27 at the Secretariat. The meeting reviewed the progress of major Central schemes across Tripura.
The discussions covered healthcare, housing, drinking water, rural roads, agriculture, sanitation, Anganwadi infrastructure and skill development. Officials also examined the implementation status of decisions taken at the previous meeting.
Saha said most earlier decisions have already been implemented. He directed departments to hold regular review meetings to maintain the pace of execution.
CM stresses transparency & timely delivery
The Chief Minister said development projects must remain transparent from implementation to completion. He also stressed that benefits should reach marginalised sections on time.
According to Dr Saha, closer coordination between officials and elected representatives can help identify problems at the field level. Direct interaction can also improve transparency and reduce gaps between the administration and public representatives.
He noted that performance of the State under several Central schemes remains broadly in line with the national average. However, he warned officials against becoming complacent.
Dr Saha asked departments to accelerate pending works. He also called for stronger awareness campaigns so people understand the schemes available to them.
Healthcare schemes get special focus
Healthcare services received detailed attention at the DISHA Committee meeting. Dr Saha instructed officials to ensure easier access to the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
The Chief Minister said high insurance coverage will have limited value if beneficiaries do not understand the schemes. He therefore asked officials to provide clearer information about eligibility and covered diseases.
He suggested displaying lists of covered diseases at hospitals. He also proposed using QR codes to make information easier to access.
Patients and their relatives could scan the codes to check whether particular treatments are covered at a hospital.
Officials said 16,66,870 Ayushman Cards have been issued under AB-PMJAY. The scheme has brought 7,09,022 families under its coverage.
Under the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the state has issued 6,36,527 cards. A total of 2,86,820 families have received coverage under the scheme.
Anganwadi centres and child marriage reviewed
The Chief Minister also called for improvements in Anganwadi infrastructure. He asked officials to identify centres in poor condition and prepare plans for renovation or reconstruction.
Saha also proposed shifting Anganwadi Centres functioning from rented premises to suitable permanent locations. He asked officials to gradually upgrade facilities using the state’s Model Anganwadi Centres as a benchmark.
Child marriage prevention also featured in the discussions. Saha urged the administration to intensify monitoring and awareness efforts.
He called for greater community-level awareness to prevent early marriage and protect children from its social and economic consequences.
Push for SHGs and Swachh Bharat
The Chief Minister asked officials to encourage women associated with self-help groups through the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission to increase production.
He stressed the need to expand the volume and variety of goods produced by SHG members. The move could help strengthen rural livelihoods and improve market opportunities for women-led groups.
Saha also called for a wider approach to the Swachh Bharat Mission. He said cleanliness should not remain limited to villages and households.
Government offices and institutions must also maintain proper sanitation, waste management and healthy surroundings, he said.
PMAY-G records 99% completion
The meeting reviewed the progress of several major development programmes.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, officials reported that 99% of the approved 3.76 lakh houses have been completed.
The Jal Jeevan Mission also recorded significant progress. Functional household tap water connections have reached 6,24,477 rural households.
The achievement represents 83.17% of the targeted rural households, according to officials.
The state also reviewed progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Discussions covered sanitation and other rural development initiatives.
Agriculture and road projects discussed
Officials discussed the use of modern technology in agriculture and irrigation. The meeting also examined efforts to expand markets for agricultural produce.
Market linkages through the National Agriculture Market, or e-NAM, were part of the discussion. The focus was on improving farmers’ access to markets and strengthening opportunities for better returns.
The meeting also reviewed rural road and infrastructure projects.
Saha directed officials to identify field-level problems affecting the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and national highway works. He asked departments to resolve such issues quickly to prevent delays.
Chief Secretary highlights governance
Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha said the DISHA meeting provided a detailed platform to assess the implementation of Central schemes.
He said regular reviews help the government track project progress, maintain transparency and ensure proper service delivery.
Sinha said the State has performed well in implementing Central schemes. He also pointed to the state’s recognition and awards during Central government reviews.
He described the recognition as an indication of good governance in the state.
The Chief Secretary assured public representatives that concerns raised during the meeting would receive due consideration. He said the government would take necessary action wherever required.
Public representatives raise issues
MP Kriti Debi Debbarma, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman and MLAs Manoj Kanti Deb, Antara Deb Sarkar, Birjit Sinha and Shailendra Chandra Nath participated in the meeting.
The discussions centred on the implementation of Central schemes and delivery of their benefits. Field-level challenges, transparency and coordination between officials and elected representatives remained key themes.
The meeting ultimately placed the focus on faster execution, stronger monitoring and better last-mile delivery of government programmes across Tripura.
