Agartala, June 17, 2025: Over Rs 2,000 crore has been spent in the past seven years to improve the socio-economic conditions of women in Tripura, said Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education Tinku Roy on Monday.
Speaking as the chief guest at a state-level workshop on women’s laws and welfare schemes at Pragya Bhavan here in Agartala city on Monday morning, the minister emphasized the importance of women leaders in Panchayati Raj institutions taking an active role in combating social evils like child marriage and superstition.
“Empowerment of women cannot be complete without societal reform. Our women representatives must lead by example to root out ignorance from society,” said Roy, highlighting the dual goals of economic empowerment and social transformation.
The workshop, organised by the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education, focused on key schemes and legal frameworks for women’s welfare. It was attended by officials from across the state including CDPOs, Anganwadi workers, and district inspectors from North Tripura, Unakoti, Dhalai, South Tripura and West Tripura.
Highlighting recent achievements, Roy said, “There are over 58,000 self-help groups in Tripura today, with more than five lakh women members. From 2018-19 to 2024-25, nearly Rs 2,000 crore has been invested in various schemes aimed at empowering women financially and socially.”
He also outlined several ongoing and upcoming projects under the department. Currently, over 1.14 lakh elderly women in the state are receiving a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 as part of social assistance measures. In terms of infrastructure, eight One-Stop Centres for women are operational across all districts, with two more sanctioned for Kailashahar and Agartala in the 2025–26 financial year. For shelter and support, one Sakhi Niwas is functional in Agartala, and ten more have been approved. Additionally, construction of a 25-bed Half-Way Home, named Shanti Nir, is underway in Narsinghgarh.
As a policy framework, the Tripura State Policy for Empowerment of Women – 2022 has been adopted to guide ongoing initiatives. Helplines for women are now active in every district, and between 30 to 40 children receive assistance each month through the Juvenile Justice Fund.
Roy also highlighted support being extended under flagship schemes. Women and schoolgirls are receiving aid through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Mukhyamantri Matri Pushti Upahar Yojana, and the Mukhyamantri Talent Search Scheme. Girls who top the Class 12 board exams are being rewarded with scooters, while all Class IX girls receive bicycles each year. Awareness and financial assistance programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana are also being actively promoted across the state.
Roy added, “Our women are not behind in any field. From leading the country as President and Finance Minister to bringing home medals in national sports, they are setting examples every day. Tripura’s own Supriya Das Dutta addressed the United Nations. We’re proud of such achievements.”
Director of the department Tapan Kumar Das, in his welcome address, announced that 85 new Anganwadi centres have been sanctioned under the PM Janman Project and 119 more under the Dharti Aba Janbhagidari Abhiyan.
Additional Director L. Hrangkhwal elaborated on the Mission Shakti Project and the Women’s Empowerment Policy. Joint Director John C. Debbarma discussed women’s social allowances, while Dr. Chandrani Biswas focused on ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan. Deputy Director T. Kalai gave an overview of field-level child welfare activities.
Representatives from the Law department including Dipanwita Ganguly also presented key legal provisions related to women’s rights. SBI officials Narayan Pal and Rebati Ranjan Kumana explained the banking process for social allowance distribution.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks from Joint Director Bijan Chakraborty.
