Overcoming Coronavirus induced challenges, first ever waterways service will commence from July 14 and the consignment will reach Sonamura on July 18. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb announced this today. He was speaking at launching programme of Pradhan Mantri Swa-Nidhi and Mukhyamantri Swa-Nirbhar Yojana at Town Hall in Agartala on Friday. Large number of Swa-Nirbhar groups and people attended the programme. He mentioned in details about benefits available under the scheme.
Terming beginning of waterways as historical, Deb said, “A small ship will sail off from Haldia Port with TATA made TNT bars and will reach Sonamura jetty on July 18. No one could even dream that goods would reach Tripura via waterways so soon – but it is happening and it would happen amidst Covid19 pandemic situation.”
In this connection, he also said, bringing goods in Tripura via waterways would slash prices of commodities.
During his speech, the Chief Minister saluted spirit of Tripuraites and said that he was proud that people had elected him as their Chief Minister. He reiterated his commitment to serve the people of the State and make Tripura a Model State. Hailing people’s co-operation, he said Tripura is one of top five States in tackling Covid19 challenges.
Launching the Mukhyamantri Swa-Nirbhar Yojana, Deb stressed on fostering positive and independent mentality among the people. He said, earlier, people used to talk about deprivation, oppression etc – but now people are no longer interested in those – instead people are focusing on self-reliance, building self-confidence to attain success and become independent.
“Change in mental set up of people came up as the Government had brought up changes in Governance and its policies”, he said and to justify his claim, Deb said, incumbent government simplified the trade License issuance procedure which was a win-win situation for both the traders and the Government.
“According to simplified Trade Licensing policy, applicants need to submit only xerox copies of Aadhar cards or voter cards – and no other documents including that of landowners NOC would be required. As a result, number of applicants increased over time – this opened opportunities to people who hitherto were unable to get Trade Licenses as well as increased Government revenues”, he explained.
Encouraging people to become ‘Swa-Rojgari’, the Chief Minister listed out stream of packages announced by the Central Government as well as the State Government for the benefit of entrepreneurs. He, once again, mentioned that all the Banks in the State had been asked to grant collateral free loans so that people can avail loan facilities announced by the Government without any guarantor.
Amidst claps, he re-affirmed his belief that people of Tripura would become self-independent and self-reliant by capitalizing the policies of the Government.
