Agartala, Aug 30:
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday said the state’s financial difficulties following the discontinuation of the gap fund under the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission would not be allowed to affect the ongoing government recruitment process.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at Muktadhara auditorium here, where offer letters were handed over to newly recruited drivers of the Fire and Emergency Services Department and sewing machines were distributed among trained women beneficiaries, Saha said the government was taking up the state’s financial concerns with the Centre.
The Chief Minister said Tripura had faced some financial difficulties after the gap fund was discontinued following the 16th Finance Commission recommendations. He said the state had raised the matter with the Centre and sought necessary financial support to address the situation.
Saha said the issue of the financial requirements of the northeastern states and the need for special support had also been raised with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a recent meeting of the North Eastern Council in Shillong.
He, however, made it clear that the financial situation would not come in the way of filling vacant government posts.
“By any means” the recruitment process would not be stopped, the Chief Minister said, adding that the government was committed to taking forward recruitment in a transparent manner.
He said efforts were also on to resolve technical and administrative issues, wherever they arose, in recruitment to different departments, including health and prisons.
Saha’s assurance assumes significance as the Opposition has repeatedly targeted the BJP-led government over unemployment and alleged delays in filling vacancies, with employment remaining among the issues being raised during the ongoing Assembly session.
The Chief Minister said employment generation and making young people self-reliant remained among the government’s priorities. Referring to Sunday’s programme, he said 16 candidates selected for driver posts had been given offer letters after completion of the required process.
He also highlighted the government’s focus on women’s economic empowerment. As many as 180 women who had undergone training under Agartala Municipal Corporation were provided sewing machines along with a stipend of Rs 2,000 each.
“Women are a priority,” Saha said, stressing that training and livelihood support were intended to help women become economically self-reliant and create income-generating opportunities.
On rising prices of food items and essential commodities, Saha said the government was keeping a close watch on the market situation. He said he had discussed the matter with the Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and that officials had been asked to take necessary measures against unreasonable price increases by traders.
The Chief Minister also said the state’s financial requirements, including the needs of hilly and difficult areas, required greater attention from the Centre. He indicated that the assistance being provided at present was not sufficient to meet all the state’s requirements.
Earlier, Saha virtually inaugurated the newly constructed fire station at Manubankul in Sabroom, the 52nd fire station in the state. He said the facility would fulfil a long-standing demand of people in Sabroom and adjoining areas.
The programme was attended by Industry Minister Santana Chakma, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder, Secretary to the CM Kiran Gitte and senior officials, among others.
