Agartala: Tripura has become the only state to provide universal health coverage to its entire population through a combination of the Centre’s PM-JAY and the state’s CM-JAY schemes, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said on Sunday.Addressing a public meeting organised by the BJP’s Barjala Mandal committee, Saha said PM-JAY covers the majority of the state’s population, while the remaining population is covered under the state-sponsored CM-JAY scheme.According to the Chief Minister, claims worth Rs 307 crore have been settled under PM-JAY, while another Rs 50 crore in claims have been disbursed under CM-JAY.Saha highlighted several recent developments in Tripura’s healthcare sector. He said Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital has secured the 131st position among medical colleges nationally, while the number of MBBS seats in the state has increased to 500.He further said Tripura is expected to receive 50 additional MBBS seats.The Chief Minister said he had recently laid the foundation stone for a new medical college at Ambassa. According to Saha, the institution, being established by the Bandhan Group, is initially planned as a 50-seat college, but its chairman has expressed interest in increasing the capacity to 100 seats.Saha also highlighted the newly opened civil hospital in Agartala and said Homeopathic and Ayurvedic Medical Colleges are expected to begin functioning in Agartala and Udaipur from the next academic session.Speaking about tourism, the Chief Minister said spiritual tourism is expected to receive a major boost with the development of the 51-Shakti Peetha project at Banduar in Udaipur.He also pointed to the upcoming luxury hotel at the historic Pushpabanta Palace as another major addition to Tripura’s tourism infrastructure.Saha said Tripura’s development achievements are receiving national recognition, with the state having secured more than 360 national awards across various sectors.He said he would travel to Delhi on Monday to attend an event where he has been invited to speak about Tripura’s growth story.Calling for stronger public outreach, Saha urged BJP workers to intensify organisational activities and work towards developing Barjala Mandal as a “model mandal”.He stressed the need for public-friendly activities and stronger word-of-mouth support from residents.The Chief Minister also criticised opposition parties for opposing Bills aimed at establishing new universities and educational institutions in Tripura.Citing Sikkim as an example, he said expanding higher education infrastructure could help attract students and contribute to the state’s development.
