The Tripura government will organise a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ from September 17 to October 17 to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s uninterrupted public service, first as Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as Prime Minister of India.

Announcing the programme at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said the campaign would be guided by the motto “Jan Seva Hi Prabhu Seva”, with the objective of ensuring that the benefits of various government schemes reach the last person in society.

Secretary Abhishek Singh was also present at the press conference.

The Chief Minister said the journey of public service, dedication and unwavering commitment to public welfare began on October 7, 2001, when Narendra Modi took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat for the first time. He described 25 years of receiving the people’s mandate and serving them in a vast and diverse democracy like India as a “golden chapter” in the country’s democratic history.

“Service (Seva), good governance (Sushasan) and the welfare of the poor (Garib Kalyan) are the core philosophy of the Prime Minister’s governance,” Dr. Saha said, adding that ensuring the benefits of government schemes reach the last person is a fundamental pillar of PM Modi’s approach to governance.

According to the Chief Minister, a series of programmes will be organised across Tripura between September 17 and October 17 as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. These include Ashirwad Ka Diya on September 17, Mere Sapno Ka Bharat Chitra Seva, Namo Seva Ankahi Kahaniyan, Angan Milan Seva, Seva Ki Kahani, Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra, Seva Meri Yogdan, Seva Setu Abhiyan, Seva Ke Rang, Rashtra Ke Sang, Seva First Innovation Challenge, Sushasan Samvad and Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra.

He said, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy has been appointed as the nodal minister to oversee the implementation of the campaign in the state.

The Chief Minister also announced that designated guardian ministers would supervise the campaign in different districts. 

Industry and Commerce Minister Santwana Chakma and Cooperation Minister Shukla Charan Noatia will oversee North Tripura; Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury will be responsible for Unakoti; Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath for Dhalai; Social Education and Social Welfare Minister Tinku Roy for Khowai; Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma for Sepahijala; Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman and Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma for Gomati; and Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das and Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Brishaketu Debbarma for South Tripura.

MLAs and other elected representatives will also take necessary steps to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.

A committee comprising secretaries and district magistrates has been constituted to prepare the action plan and monitor the progress of various activities during the month-long campaign. The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs will function as the nodal department for the implementation of the programme.

In view of the ensuing Village Committee polls, the Chief Minister said, after the September 17 programme, the next programmes would be carried out from September 29 to October 17. 

Activities based on 25 different themes of public service will be organised at various locations with public participation. At least two locations in every Assembly constituency will host such activities.

As part of the Seva Setu Abhiyan, as many as 85 mega camps will be organised between September 29 and October 17 to facilitate access to welfare schemes of both the Central and state governments. Of these, camps will be held at 58 block headquarters, 20 urban locations and four zones in Agartala. Similar camps will also be organised in panchayat and municipal areas based on local requirements.

The Rural Development (Panchayat) Department will coordinate with the Union Ministry of Rural Development for the selection of ministers and public representatives for a national programme to be held at four important locations across the country.

The state government is also considering participation of volunteers from Tripura in the proposed Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra, the Chief Minister said.