Agartala, March 13: Tripura has become the only state in India to have separate women police stations in all its districts, a significant step towards ensuring women’s safety and empowerment. Chief Minister Manik Saha made this announcement on Thursday while addressing a programme in Agartala to mark International Women’s Day, organized by the Social Welfare and Social Education Department of the state government.
Speaking at the event in Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan here, Saha emphasized that the state government is prioritizing the socio-economic upliftment of women, who constitute 50 percent of the population.
He stated that without their development, neither the state nor the nation can progress. To support this vision, the government has established Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) offices at both the state and district levels, which play a crucial role in providing information about employment opportunities, women’s rights, and safety measures.
A large number of women from different fields, including members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), police personnel, teachers, healthcare workers, and ICDS employees, attended the programme.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted various initiatives taken by the BJP-led government in comparison to the previous Left Front government, showcasing a significant increase in financial aid and employment opportunities for women.
He pointed out that 91,871 SHG members have become ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ achieving economic independence, while new initiatives such as training women in drone technology under the ‘Drone Didis’ programme are also being introduced.
Saha further stated that in the last seven years, ₹714 crore has been allocated to strengthen SHGs, a stark contrast to the ₹32.67 crore provided before 2017-18. Similarly, bank loans worth ₹1,465.81 crore have been sanctioned for SHGs during the BJP government’s tenure, compared to just ₹4.95 crore earlier. Additionally, 3.87 lakh SHG members have been covered under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and 3.14 lakh women under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, ensuring financial security for them.
The Chief Minister also highlighted efforts to promote Tripura’s cultural identity by securing Geographical Indication (GI) tags for traditional tribal attires like Risha and Pachra, as well as the sacred ‘Pera’ of Mata Tripureswari temple.
He mentioned that a toll-free helpline for women has successfully addressed over 14,501 cases in the past year, providing assistance in various issues and to create a safer work environment, internal complaint committees have been established in all government and private offices, including the district magistrate offices, to curb harassment in workplaces.
Saha added that the government is also expanding infrastructure to support women’s welfare, with a 100-bed Mother and Child Care Unit being set up in Agartala at a cost of ₹100 crore with financial assistance from the DoNER Ministry. Additionally, new old age homes and working women hostels are in the pipeline to address housing and safety concerns for women.
Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy, along with department officials, attended the programme, where women who excelled in their respective fields were honored for their achievements.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to women’s welfare, Saha stated that ensuring their safety, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment remains a top priority.
He reiterated that without the active participation and progress of women, overall development would remain incomplete.
