Agartala: In a significant move set to directly impact the lives of its indigenous communities, the Tripura government is poised to roll out a fortnight-long tribal welfare programme, ‘Dharti Aabha Janbhagidari Abhiyan’, commencing this Sunday. This ambitious initiative is designed to ensure essential government services reach the farthest corners and the most vulnerable sections of the state’s tribal populace.
The programme will be formally inaugurated by Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, marking a dedicated effort to bridge the service delivery gap. Special camps are slated to be organised across 392 revenue villages, as confirmed by Tribal Welfare Director Subhasish Das. These camps are expected to be bustling hubs, facilitating the issuance of crucial documents and benefits, including Aadhaar cards, ration cards, caste certificates, permanent residential certificates, PM Ayushman cards, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and PM Kisan benefits, all aimed at bolstering the socio-economic fabric of tribal families.
Further solidifying its commitment to comprehensive outreach, gram sabhas will be integral to the campaign, designed to extensively inform tribal villagers about the array of government schemes available to them. “A total of 25 programmes under 17 central ministries will be implemented during this 15-day drive,” Das stated, underscoring the multi-faceted approach of the initiative.
This focused state-level drive is a direct extension of the broader ‘Dharti Aabha Janjatiya Gram Ukarsha Abhiyan’, a national mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2023. The national programme envisions the upliftment of tribal populations across 63,843 villages in 549 districts over a five-year period, from 2024 to 2029, showcasing a sustained commitment to tribal empowerment.
For Tripura, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has already sanctioned a substantial ₹80.99 crore under this initiative. This funding is earmarked for critical infrastructure projects, including the construction of new hostels, the establishment of multipurpose marketing centres to foster economic activity, and the vital maintenance of existing hostel facilities, directly addressing the foundational needs of tribal communities.
In a further boost, ₹42.37 crore has been specifically allocated to enhance electrification in tribal areas. This allocation is set to bring power connections to 7,677 families and illuminate 512 public spaces, a crucial step towards improving quality of life and fostering development in previously underserved regions.
“This programme reflects the state government’s commitment to inclusive development and empowerment of tribal communities through last-mile delivery of welfare schemes,” remarked Director Das, highlighting the underlying philosophy of the initiative. Through this comprehensive outreach, the Tripura government is not merely providing services but actively striving to integrate tribal citizens more deeply into the governance and development narrative, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.
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