Tripura CM Manik Saha announces free degree education for girls at state-run colleges

In a major announcement on Raksha Bandhan, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said Thursday that his government would provide free education to all girl students at state-run colleges.

Joining a large Raksha Bandhan gathering at his official residence in Agartala, Saha said the safety and security of women are among his government's major concerns and as part of its commitment to empower women, the state government would provide free education to female students in degree colleges run by the state.

Free education for girls was among the BJP's pre-poll promises in Tripura ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections.

While former chief minister Biplab Deb administration had said that the state would make school education free for girls, Saha has now delivered on the promise starting with colleges and said there are plans to make education free for girls in schools as well as at the lone state university – Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) University.

Among other announcements made by the chief minister include the decision to set up additional CCTV cameras and automatic number plate recognition cameras in Agartala municipality and adjoining areas.

 The Rs 20 crore digital surveillance project is aimed at providing security, especially for women, in places where there are fewer security personnel. In the first phase, roughly 150 cameras are likely to be installed at a cost of Rs 7.61 crore.