By Tripura24 News Desk | Agartala Wednesday, February 11, 2026
AGARTALA: Marking a historic shift in rural governance, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today inaugurated the first state-level conference of elected representatives at Swami Vivekananda Maidan (Astabal Ground). The event centered on the implementation of the landmark Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act 2025, which has officially replaced the decades-old MGNREGA.
Inauguration of a ₹546.79 Crore Development Package
Flanked by Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha and Panchayat Minister Shri Kishor Barman, the Union Minister virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 179 rural development projects across Tripura. The total investment for these initiatives stands at ₹546.79 crore.
Key project highlights include:
- Rural Connectivity: Inauguration of 87 kilometers of all-weather roads under PMGSY, valued at ₹79.50 crore.
- Livelihood Boost: Disbursal of ₹103.84 crore under the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) to empower Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Infrastructure: Launch of 22 key projects including new Panchayat Bhavans and water conservation units.
G RAM G Act: From 100 to 125 Days of Guaranteed Work
Addressing the massive gathering of over 10,000 elected representatives from Panchayats to Parliament, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan detailed the benefits of the VB-G RAM G Act 2025 (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin).
“The era of MGNREGA has evolved. Under the G RAM G Act, we are not just providing a safety net but a roadmap for a developed India. We have increased the legal guarantee of work from 100 days to 125 days per year. This is a promise of dignity for every rural household,” Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared.
He further noted that the Union Budget has earmarked a record ₹1.51 lakh crore for this scheme nationally, ensuring that each Gram Panchayat in Tripura will receive between ₹1.5 crore to ₹1.75 crore annually for local development.
Praise for Tripura’s “Lakhpati Didis”
The Union Minister toured several exhibition stalls at the venue, where he was particularly impressed by an innovative pressure cooker made entirely of clay, crafted by local SHG women. He lauded the fact that Tripura has already produced 1.08 lakh “Lakhpati Didis” (women earning over ₹1 lakh annually), calling the state a “model for rural empowerment in the Northeast.”
CM Dr. Manik Saha on Grassroots Governance
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha thanked the Union Minister for choosing Tripura as one of the first states for the large-scale rollout of the G RAM G Act.
“Our government believes that the development of Tripura is impossible without the development of its villages. This new Act provides the financial teeth and technological tools—like biometric attendance and geo-tagging—to ensure every paisa reaches the intended beneficiary,” CM Manik Saha stated.
Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman, who presided over the event, remarked that the day would be etched in the state’s history as the beginning of a “Panchayat-led prosperity era.”
Political Significance
The visit is seen as a major morale booster for the ruling party ahead of the upcoming ADC Elections. Later in the day, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the Tripureswari Temple in Udaipur to offer prayers before concluding his high-profile visit.
