**Agartala, Aug 30:** Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday said the state government is working towards building a self-reliant and developed Tripura with a strong focus on employment generation, skill development and women’s empowerment.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a programme at Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala, where he handed over offer letters to **16 newly recruited drivers** of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Congratulating the newly appointed employees, Dr. Saha said government service was not merely an employment opportunity but also carried the responsibility of serving people with honesty, dedication and perseverance. He extended his best wishes to the recruits as they began their professional careers.
The Chief Minister said the government had undertaken several initiatives to expand employment opportunities, promote skill development, empower women and ensure faster and more effective delivery of public services.
As part of the programme, Dr. Saha also distributed **sewing machines and a stipend of Rs 2,000 each to 180 trained women beneficiaries** under the Agartala Municipal Corporation.
He said the initiative would help women become financially independent by enabling them to use their skills for income generation. He expressed hope that such programmes would contribute to improving the socio-economic conditions of women and their families.
From the same programme, the Chief Minister virtually inaugurated a newly constructed fire station at **Manubankul in Sabroom**, the **52nd fire station in Tripura**. Dr. Saha said the facility would meet a long-standing demand of residents and strengthen fire and emergency services in Sabroom and adjoining areas.
Minister Santana Chakma, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder, Secretary Kiran Gitte, senior government officials and other dignitaries attended the programme.
Before the event, Dr. Saha and other participants listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme, **‘Mann Ki Baat’**, at the auditorium.
Speaking on the programme, the Chief Minister said ‘Mann Ki Baat’ provides an important platform for the Prime Minister to connect directly with citizens and share ideas and experiences from across the country. He said the programme highlights achievements, innovative initiatives and social activities undertaken by people in different parts of India, encouraging others to take up constructive initiatives.
The programme also highlighted the role of party workers in taking government welfare schemes and development initiatives to the people.
