By Tripura24 News Desk | Agartala Tuesday, February 3, 2026
AGARTALA: Strengthening the spirit of cooperative federalism, the capital of Tripura today hosted the 3rd Regional Workshop under the State Support Mission (SSM) of NITI Aayog. The high-level event, held at Hotel Polo Towers, was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha.
The workshop brought together senior policymakers, experts, and representatives from 14 Eastern and North-Eastern States and Union Territories to discuss the roadmap for structural transformation and decentralized governance.
Governance Beyond Institutions: CM’s Vision
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha emphasized that the true essence of governance lies in the tangible improvement of every citizen’s life.
“Governance is not merely about institutions or procedures; it is fundamentally about improving the quality of life for every citizen and ensuring that development reaches the last mile. The State Support Mission represents a defining evolution in India’s federal governance architecture, recognizing states as equal partners in shaping the nation’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047,” the Chief Minister stated.
Focus on Skill Development and TIFT
Highlighting Tripura’s progress, the Chief Minister announced that the state is in the process of establishing an International Skill Centre and a Foreign Language School to open global employment avenues for the local youth. He lauded the Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT) for its role in aligning state policies with national goals.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
The regional dialogue, organized in collaboration with TIFT and NITI Aayog, focused on several critical pillars of development:
- State Institutions for Transformation (SITs): Discussions centered on how SITs are evolving into multidisciplinary hubs for policy design, outcome monitoring, and inter-sectoral convergence.
- Peer Learning: Representatives from diverse states shared best practices in data-driven governance and institutional reforms.
- Viksit Rajya @2047: A dedicated session was held on crafting blueprints for “Viksit Rajyas” (Developed States) to contribute to the national goal of a developed India by the centenary of independence.
- Collaboration: The workshop underscored the partnership model between NITI Aayog and the states, moving beyond the traditional “implementing agency” role.
Dignitaries Present
The inaugural session was attended by a galaxy of top officials and experts:
- Shri Jitendra Kumar Sinha, Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura.
- Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Programme Director (States), NITI Aayog.
- Shri Raj Shekhar Joshi, Vice Chairperson of SETU Aayog, Uttarakhand.
- Shri Kiran Gitte, CEO of TIFT and Secretary, Government of Tripura.
Conclusion and Future Roadmap
The workshop concluded with an open discussion on the future roadmap of the State Support Mission. Participants reached a consensus on the need to consolidate institutional gains and enhance operational effectiveness at the state level. By hosting this regional event, Agartala has once again signaled the growing importance of the Northeast in India’s national development narrative.
