Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday emphasized that money and muscle power may yield short-term gains but cannot sustain long-lasting regimes. Addressing newly elected members of the three-tier Panchayat system at the Panchayati Raj Training Institute in AD Nagar, on the outskirts of Agartala, Dr. Saha underlined the importance of public trust and responsive governance.
“To be re-elected, leaders must respect and love the people, address their grievances, and provide solutions. Money and muscle power can produce temporary results, but enduring political regimes are built by listening to the people and implementing remedial measures,” Dr. Saha told the gathering.
The Chief Minister urged the Panchayats to utilize resources from the central government wisely and prioritize visible development, given their extensive network across the state. He was speaking at a state-level workshop on the People’s Plan Campaign, highlighting the Panchayats’ crucial role in grassroots governance.
Drawing inspiration from Gujarat, Dr. Saha noted that Tripura had established five all-women Panchayati Raj institutions. “I am proud to share that our state now has five Panchayati Raj institutions managed entirely by women,” he said.
Dr. Saha also highlighted the need for better coordination between Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis, citing challenges arising from the lack of collaboration in some areas. “All elected bodies must work in harmony to achieve optimal results,” he stressed.
He pointed out that Tripura had been tasked with localizing nine of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Panchayat level. “In the current scenario, every Panchayat should focus on at least one SDG and work towards achieving saturation. This should be a top priority,” Dr. Saha said.
The Chief Minister’s remarks underscore the state government’s focus on strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions and fostering inclusive development through grassroots engagement and participatory planning.
Also Read: Is ‘child activist’ Licypriya Kangujam fueling violence in Manipur?