Despite hurdles, Tripura’s rapid progress in various fields is commendable, acknowledged NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Saraswat in a meeting with senior officials of the state government with a delegation of NITI Aayog at the Secretariat in Agartala on Tuesday.
A seven-member delegation led by NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Saraswat arrived in the state today. The delegation met with Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, principal secretaries, secretaries and officials of the state administration in a high-level meeting at the Secretariat.
In the meeting, NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Saraswat said that NITI Aayog will provide all possible assistance in quickly resolving the challenges that the state faces in implementing development programs.
Along with developing the state’s potential areas, special importance should be given to the overall development of the state.
He also stressed on public-private partnership to encourage investors to invest in the state. For this, he advised the officials of the state administration to take the necessary initiatives.
The NITI Aayog delegation arrived in the State on Tuesday on a three-day visit. The main purpose of the visit of the delegation is to strengthen the joint initiative between the center and the state for integrated and sustainable development.
In addition to NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Saraswat, the delegation included NITI Aayog’s senior advisor Rajiv Kumar Sen, deputy secretary Hemant Kumar Meena, senior associate Krishan Kant Sharma, Atal Innovation Mission’s program director Himanshu Joshi, state support mission’s specialist Dr. Amrit Pal Kar, and industry vertical’s senior specialist Rupesh Singh.
In the meeting, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha said that NITI Aayog has extended a helping hand in the development of Tripura and other northeastern states.
He asserted, NITI Aayog is playing a supportive role in resolving various problems of the northeastern states. The government is committed to establishing good governance in the state. Various steps are being taken through the Good Governance Department to ensure improvement in the quality of life of the citizens.
Sinha added, as part of this initiative, the work of the district offices, starting from the Secretariat, has been made paperless. The state e-cabinet system has also been launched.
The government is working on expanding all possible systems to build a digital infrastructure in the state. This has also increased the transparency in work, the Chief secretary explained.
Secretary of the Planning and Coordination Department Kiran Gitte informed the delegation of NITI Aayog about the geographical location, population, literacy, economy, per capita income, growth rate, progress of the state towards sustainable development, and the state’s issues related to NITI Aayog’s plans.
In the meeting with the delegation of NITI Aayog, the expansion of trade with and through Bangladesh, industrial development, processing of bamboo, rubber, agar and pineapple, technical and technological facilities and development of health services were given priority.
In addition, the Secretary of the Planning and Coordination Department requested the withdrawal of the port-based ban on the export of finished rubber from Tripura to Bangladesh.