BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 28th July 2025: Aiming to raise awareness about key social welfare schemes run by both the central and state governments, Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma today inaugurated a one-day public awareness seminar at the Khowai Town Hall.
The event has been organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education where Kalyanpur MLA Pinaki Das Choudhury, Chairpersons of Khowai and Teliamura Municipal Councils Debasish Nath Sharma and Rupak Sarkar respectively, District Magistrate Rajat Pant and other senior officials were present.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Debbarma expressed concern over the lukewarm public response and clarified that the programme was entirely non-political. He stressed that the objective was to equip citizens with accurate and accessible information on welfare benefits.
“Departmental officers and local leaders must play a proactive role in ensuring that people are aware of the schemes and can access them easily,” the Minister said. He further emphasized that many citizens remain unaware of the procedure to apply for benefits, highlighting the need for intensified awareness campaigns at both panchayat and urban local body levels.
An elaborate handbook featuring 34 social welfare schemes was officially released during the event. Minister Debbarma urged all stakeholders to make use of the guidebook to effectively support and inform the public.
MLA Pinaki Das Choudhury echoed the Minister’s concerns and called for a more robust grassroots outreach strategy to ensure better implementation.
Director of Social Welfare and Social Education, Tapan Kumar Das informed that around 4.08 lakh beneficiaries are currently availing assistance under various schemes with funds jointly contributed by the Centre and the state government.
