Agartala, June 9:
Tripura Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy on Tuesday said the state government’s newly introduced welfare schemes are helping discourage child marriage and strengthen social security for vulnerable sections of society.
Addressing a press conference at the Civil Secretariat, Roy highlighted several flagship initiatives launched in the 2025-26 state budget, with particular emphasis on the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, aimed at preventing child marriage among economically weaker families.
Under the scheme, eligible families receive ₹50,000 in financial assistance if their daughters are married after attaining the legal age of 18 years. The benefit can be availed for up to two daughters in a family.
“We introduced this scheme keeping poor and Antyodaya families in mind. The objective is to ensure that girls are not married before the legal age and families are encouraged to support their daughters’ future,” Roy said.
The Minister informed that the scheme was launched in October last year and more than 50 applications have already been received. According to official figures, assistance has so far been provided to 45 beneficiaries.
Roy expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute significantly to reducing child marriage cases in the state.
He said district administrations, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), police and other stakeholders are working together to address the issue.
“Child marriage cases have already come down, and we hope the practice will eventually be eradicated from Tripura,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the Mukhyamantri Balika Samriddhi Yojana, under which a fixed deposit of ₹50,000 is made in the name of a girl child born into eligible Antyodaya families. The amount becomes available when the beneficiary attains 18 years of age and can be utilized for higher education or other developmental needs. So far, fixed deposits have been provided for 105 girl children.
Another major welfare initiative is the Chief Minister’s Scheme for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (CMSPID), under which beneficiaries suffering from intellectual disabilities, mental illness or cerebral palsy receive ₹5,000 per month.
Roy said the response to the scheme has exceeded expectations, with nearly 4,000 beneficiaries enrolled within six to seven months. Official records show that 3,492 beneficiaries have already been covered under the programme.
In addition, more than 20,000 persons with disabilities in the state are receiving a monthly disability allowance of ₹2,000 under existing social security schemes.
Roy said separate budgetary allocations have been made for each of the newly introduced schemes, with initial provisions of around ₹5 crore each. The allocations will be enhanced as the number of beneficiaries increases.
The Minister appealed to eligible citizens to approach the concerned authorities and avail themselves of the benefits offered under the government’s welfare programmes.
The Social Welfare and Social Education Department has also undertaken a series of initiatives, including modernization of Anganwadi centres, expansion of social security coverage, establishment of children’s homes, and construction of a recreation centre for persons with mental disabilities as part of its broader welfare agenda.
