There was a time when the tribal people were used as vote banks. But the present state government is working for the overall development of tribal people. The community heads of the tribes of Tripura have to play a responsible role in truly communicating this outlook of the state government to the concerned people, state the chief minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha today after inaugurating a day-long workshop with the tribal community heads at Pragna Bhaban. In the workshop organized by the tribal welfare department the chief minister said, the state government is working sincerely towards cultural development of tribal people.

The state government is also paying due honour to their community heads. The contribution made by the kings of Tripura has also been duly acknowledged. Agartala Airport has been renamed in honour of the architect of modern Tripura Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. At the same time today because of the sincere efforts of the state government Risa made by the tribes of Tripura is getting acknowledgement within the country and abroad as well. This is indeed a matter of pride for the state.

The chief minister said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi since taking over in 2014 has been relentlessly working for the welfare of the tribal people. Due to his sincere efforts only a representative of the tribal people Droupadi Murmu has been elected as the President of the country. Not only that because of his Act East Policy Tripura, along with other Northeastern states, has made immense progress in different fields. Because of sincere efforts of the Prime Minister only Tripura has got six national highways and eight more national highways are under construction. Development of the communication system in the state is also marked by 12 express trains running from the state now. In addition, taking further ahead the communication system four ropeways have been sanctioned for the state. In this situation the state is going to become a corridor for South-East Asia in the coming days.

At present the state government is trying to march ahead with an inclusive policy and the government is always vigilant so that no community is discriminated against, commented the chief minister. Especially the government will not tolerate any political bias in the development of tribal people, the chief minister said. He said, the government is also sincere about preservation of the culture of tribes. Ways are being explored to develop and enrich the bamboo and cane art of tribal people. He said the central government is also giving its all-out support to the state government in regard to development of the ADC area. The Union finance minister sanctioned Rs. 13,000 crore for the overall development of ADC. For this the chief minister has thanked the Union finance minister.

Addressing the gathering, industries and commerce minister Santana Chakma said, the present state government is working with the Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas policy of the Prime Minister. The government is putting utmost stress on every sector including communication, education, health. She also urged the heads of tribal communities to come forward to build a developed state.

 At the workshop cooperation minister Shukla Charan Noatia said, both the central and state governments are working sincerely for tribal welfare. He also urged the tribal heads to take more responsible roles to distribute the benefits of different schemes to the tribal people.

Among others tribal welfare minister Bikash Debbarma and secretary of the department L.T. Darlong spoke on the occasion. At the outset of the programme all tribal heads were felicitated by the chief minister with a flower bouquet and shawl.