Agartala, May 01, 2025: Aiming to enhance social security, the state government has launched a new initiative to include 5,458 additional beneficiaries under its social allowance programs. The announcement was made by Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy during a press conference held at the secretariat here in Agartala city on Wednesday.
“The vacancies created due to the death of existing beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme have opened up opportunities to extend benefits to 5,458 more people,” said Minister Roy. He added that currently, 3.90 lakh individuals are receiving support through 34 different schemes — 3 centrally sponsored and 31 state-run.
Highlighting the success of the National Family Support Scheme (NFSS), Minister Roy said, “In the last year alone, financial assistance of ₹20,000 each has been provided to 308 families who lost their main earners. A total of ₹61.60 lakh has been disbursed under this scheme.”
The Minister also shared updates on maternal health schemes. In FY 2024-25, 19,823 pregnant women were enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, while 27,470 previously excluded beneficiaries were granted aid totaling ₹16.31 crore. A target has been set to assist 21,000 pregnant women in FY 2025-26.
Further, under the Chief Minister’s Matri Pushti Upahar Yojana, 43,664 pregnant women have received benefits amounting to ₹8.73 crore.
The Mission Vatsalya project has supported 2,059 children with a monthly sponsorship of ₹4,000 in FY 2024-25, totaling ₹9.88 crore. A goal has been set to assist 6,301 children in FY 2025-26.
Speaking on infrastructure, the Minister stated, “The state has 56 ICDS projects and 10,222 Anganwadi centres, serving over 2.79 lakh children and nearly 28,292 pregnant and postpartum women.” Approval has been received to start a new ICDS project in the Ganganagar block of Dhalai district.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan, 77 new Anganwadi centres have been opened in tribal areas. An allocation of ₹10.56 crore was sanctioned for building concrete buildings in 88 centres, of which 20 have been completed. Another 53 new centres will soon be established in tribal settlements.
Infrastructure upgrades include converting 474 centres in Dhalai district into functional Anganwadi centres with a budget of ₹4.36 crore. Banks have also contributed—HDFC Bank is developing 42 centres, while SBI has installed solar lights in 40 centres.
The Minister also noted that the government has allocated funds to provide electricity to 5,000 Anganwadi centres in 2024-25, and proposals have been submitted to convert 2,000 centres into “Smart Anganwadi Centres.”
Additionally, support for poor cancer patients is being enhanced. “Currently, 3,476 cancer patients receive ₹2,000 per month. Steps are being taken to include 131 more patients under this initiative,” Minister Roy said.
Secretary Tapas Roy and Director Tapan Kumar Das of the Social Welfare Department were also present at the press meet.
“This government is committed to the welfare of every section of society, especially the underprivileged,” concluded Minister Tinku Roy.
