Agartala, February 05, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha announced on Wednesday that the state government has distributed appointment letters to 2,437 Multi-Tasking Staff (Group-D) across 37 departments, along with 369 pharmacists and lab technicians. Under the initiative of the Joint Recruitment Board of Tripura (JRBT), a total of 2,806 posts have been filled, marking a milestone in the state’s employment history.

Addressing the programme for distribution of Offers of Appointment to the qualified candidates for the posts of Pharmacists, Laboratory Technician and Multi-Tasking Staff (Group-D) at Swami Vivekananda Maidan here in Agartala city on Wednesday afternoon, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha emphasized the government’s commitment to a transparent and corruption-free recruitment process. “Our government has ensured that unemployed youths get recruited without any bias or political affiliation. We have maintained a clean and fair recruitment system through JRBT, the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET), and the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC),” he stated.

Highlighting the past challenges faced in recruitment, the Chief Minister asserted that previous governments struggled with transparency in the hiring process. “For 35 years, the recruitment process in Tripura was plagued with issues. However, our administration is focused on recognizing merit and talent, ensuring that deserving candidates are not deprived of opportunities due to political influence,” he added.

The Joint Recruitment Board of Tripura (JRBT) was established to ensure a clean and efficient hiring process for Group-C and Group-D posts. In December 2023, 1,980 candidates were selected for Group-C positions across 35 departments, making it one of the largest such recruitments in the state’s history.

The government has also made the Permanent Resident of Tripura Certificate (PRTC) mandatory for job applicants. “This is a bold decision that previous governments hesitated to take. It ensures that the local youth of Tripura get their rightful opportunities,” said Dr. Saha.

Since the financial year 2018-19, the state government has recruited 16,451 youths through various recruitment boards, including TRBT, JRBT, and TPSC. Additionally, 5,771 individuals have been appointed through outsourcing and contractual modes to meet immediate manpower needs in different departments.

In a recent cabinet decision, the state government intensified its focus on employment generation. Around 2,987 individuals have been appointed through various agencies in both government and private sectors, while the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation has facilitated jobs for 1,617 individuals over the past three years.

Under the National Career Service, three model career centers have been established, and 96 job fairs have been organized in Tripura since 2018-19, resulting in employment for more than 2,000 youths.

The state has also witnessed a significant rise in self-employment initiatives. Currently, 52,660 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operate with 4.73 lakh members, and 1.91 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ have been empowered with a financial boost of Rs 746 crore.

The government’s sustained efforts in employment and skill development have led to a sharp decline in Tripura’s unemployment rate. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Tripura’s unemployment rate stood at 10% in 2018-19, against the national average of 5.8%. However, with the state’s focused interventions, the rate has dropped to 1.7% in the 2023-24 fiscal year, significantly lower than the national average of 3.2%.

“Our mission is to create employment opportunities and provide skill-based training to the youth. Through the Mukhyamantri Dakhata Unnayan Prakalpa, 22,000 youths have received training over the past five years, securing jobs both within and outside the state,” Dr. Saha stated.

Additionally, around 9 lakh people in Tripura are directly or indirectly involved in the cooperative sector, contributing to economic growth and self-sustainability.

The Chief Minister reiterated that employees are the backbone of the administration, working diligently to implement government policies and welfare programs. “Our administration remains vigilant in ensuring that government initiatives reach every citizen. The dedication of government employees plays a crucial role in shaping the state’s development,” he concluded.

CM Dr Saha was accompanied by the council of ministers, chief secretary JK Sinha and other officials. As a token of distribution, nine candidates received the letter of appointment on the dais from the hands of CM and council of ministers.