Agartala, July 31 (IANS) Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Friday said that strengthening villages is essential for building a strong state and a stronger nation, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working with this vision by promoting the financial, social and infrastructure development of rural areas across the country.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating the Bijayanagar Smart and Boutique Gram Panchayat at Mohanpur in West Tripura district.
Addressing the gathering, Nath said rural development should remain the collective responsibility of everyone, as the progress of villages directly contributes to the progress of the state and the nation. “Everyone must work to strengthen our villages. People are well aware of how villages have changed over the years. If villages become stronger, the state will become stronger and more prosperous, and in turn, the country will also become stronger. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working with this vision by focusing on the financial, social and infrastructure development of villages,” the Minister said.
He noted that Bijayanagar Gram Panchayat stands as an example of this development model. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha are continuously working for the welfare of the people.
Highlighting the development achieved in Bijayanagar Gram Panchayat over the past few years, Nath said there has been a remarkable improvement in housing, drinking water supply, road connectivity and sanitation facilities under the present government.
He said that before the current government assumed office, only 34 houses had been provided under various government housing schemes in the panchayat and added that since then, as many as 543 houses have been constructed and handed over to beneficiaries, while another 89 houses have already been sanctioned.
“No eligible beneficiary will be left out. Our objective is to stand by every section of society and ensure that everyone receives the benefits of government welfare schemes,” the minister said. Referring to the expansion of drinking water infrastructure, Nath said that earlier only 35 households had access to piped drinking water, and those connections were mostly limited to houses located along the roadside.
“Today, 846 households have been provided with piped drinking water connections under various government initiatives, ensuring safe drinking water reaches people’s homes,” he said. The minister also pointed to the significant improvement in rural road infrastructure.
Earlier, the Gram Panchayat had only one blacktopped road, whereas now seven blacktopped roads with a combined length of more than 16 kilometres have been constructed, substantially improving connectivity within the area.
He further said that sanitation facilities have also witnessed a major transformation. “Earlier, there were hardly any proper toilet facilities in the village. The present government has ensured that toilets have been provided to the people, improving sanitation, hygiene and the overall quality of life. This government knows how to work for the welfare of the people and remains committed to inclusive rural development,” Nath added.
–IANS
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