Agartala, Oct 16: In a pioneering move to empower rural communities and safeguard them from financial fraud, Tripura’s Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman on Thursday inaugurated a two-day training programme on *Financial Literacy and Investor Education* at Hotel Polo Towers, Agartala.
The initiative is jointly organised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, marking Tripura as the first state in the Northeast to host such a programme.
Calling the event “historic” for the state, Minister Barman underscored the urgency of equipping rural citizens with knowledge to make informed financial decisions. “Many villagers fall victim to fraudulent schemes due to a lack of awareness. This initiative is a crucial step towards ensuring our rural population is protected from financial exploitation,” he said.
He highlighted the significance of SEBI’s technical expertise in investor protection and the Panchayat Department’s extensive grassroots network, which together will strengthen rural financial resilience. “By learning how to manage their income, savings, and investments, people can avoid financial crises and achieve long-term stability,” Barman added.
The training is being attended by district and block-level panchayat functionaries, along with government officials. Post-training, these representatives will lead financial awareness campaigns in their respective areas, spreading knowledge on safe banking practices, recognizing fraudulent schemes, and basic investment planning.
Minister Barman reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to integrating financial literacy into rural development strategies. He expressed confidence that this initiative would lay the foundation for a more financially informed and secure citizenry across Tripura, ultimately contributing to the state’s socio-economic growth.
The programme reflects a broader national push to strengthen grassroots financial education, especially in regions vulnerable to predatory schemes.
