Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s two-day visit to Agartala from December 28-29, 2024, was marked by significant engagements aimed at strengthening food distribution, renewable energy initiatives, and consumer welfare in Tripura. Minister visited the Food Corporation of India (FCI) office and state godown, assessing food grain storage and distribution mechanisms. Following this, he met Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha to review key central schemes, including MNRE projects like Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM.
One of the major outcomes was an in-principle approval to establish a regional FCI office in Agartala, with the state tasked to identify suitable land. On December 29, Joshi toured Charilam village to oversee renewable energy projects by the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA). He highlighted the installation of 27 SPV pumps and 35 solar streetlights under MNRE schemes, enabling double cropping and doubling farmer incomes. The Minister also announced plans to double FCI storage capacity in Tripura within two years through the Private Enterprise Guarantee (PEG) scheme.
Joshi emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to welfare initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which provides free food grains to 81 crore people, twice the population of the EU. In Tripura, 1.2 lakh MT of rice worth Rs 360 crore has been procured in the last five years, benefiting 94,000 farmers. Additionally, fortified rice distribution under various welfare schemes has reached 1.75 lakh MT in 2023-24, ensuring nutritional security.
The Minister highlighted the successful implementation of the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) plan, with over 18.74 lakh portability transactions in Tripura. He lauded the state for 100% Aadhaar-seeding of ration cards and ePOS-enabled Fair Price Shops, significantly reducing leakages.
In renewable energy, Joshi noted India’s milestone of 214 GW capacity, with a target of 500 GW by 2030. He praised Tripura’s progress, where solar power generation has increased tenfold to over 20.5 MW since 2018. He urged greater public awareness of PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which offers subsidies and concessional loans for solar power installations, reducing electricity costs for consumers.
Concluding his visit, Joshi commended Tripura’s efforts in various sectors, expressing confidence in collaborative initiatives to create better opportunities for the state’s people.
