Agartala, Jul 31 (PTI): Asserting that Tripura has emerged as a preferred investment destination with proposals worth Rs 1.29 lakh crore received during the recent business summit, Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said opposition leaders should “undergo cataract surgery” to see the state’s development.
Addressing a government programme at Santirbazar in South Tripura district, Saha said the two-day Destination Tripura Business Conclave, held earlier this month, attracted 1,200 investors against the expected participation of around 500.
“We had expected investment proposals worth around Rs 1 lakh crore, but the summit received proposals amounting to Rs 1.29 lakh crore through 466 memoranda of understanding (MoUs). This shows Tripura has emerged as a favourable destination for investment,” he said.
The chief minister said the state had received investment proposals worth Rs 30,000 crore during last year’s summit, of which projects worth around Rs 8,000 crore have already been grounded.
Saha said Tripura’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has doubled over the past six years due to the government’s focus on infrastructure development.
He also said projects worth around Rs 260 crore were either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid during the last financial year.
Referring to the Centre’s Act East Policy, Saha said it had transformed the Northeast by significantly improving connectivity.
“The broad-gauge railway line and electrification up to Sabroom have been completed, strengthening rail connectivity. Several long-distance premium trains have also been introduced in recent years,” he said.
The CM said Tripura has also made significant progress in implementing flagship central schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission and PM-KISAN.
Saha alleged that opposition leaders were unable to see the state’s development, “so they should undergo cataract surgery to improve their vision”.
