TMC focuses on jobs, edu in Tripura

Kolkata/Agartala: A day ahead of Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s visit to Tripura, Trinamool Congress released its poll manifesto in the state on Sunday. The manifesto promised an industrially vibrant Tripura with better education and health opportunities, as well as increased connectivity. The party also spoke of setting up a Kokborok language centre. Trinamool leaders Rajib Banerjee and party MP Sushmita Dev, who were present at the event, stressed on the need to improve policing in the state. Banerjee promised to set up police commissionerates. Deb said an emergency SOS number would be set up for women. She said Tripura had one of the highest crime rates against women and that had been rising over the past three months. Deb said: “Women empowerment is another agenda which Trinamool wants to ensure. Trinamool will set up women-led mandis in Tripura, as often tribal women are found selling vegetables and fruits.” TMC promised two lakh new jobs, Rs 1,000 per month for school students of the SC/ST category in classes IV to VIII and unemployed youths, and social welfare schemes like in Bengal. Bengal industries minister Shashi Panja said the ruling party was often involved in repressing the voice of protest and the people were not getting their dues under BJP. Bengal education minister Bratya Basu said if Trinamool was voted to office, it would create 50,000 new jobs in the first year itself. CM Banerjee will visit the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple on Monday and take part in a padayatra in Agartala on Tuesday. TIPRA Motha also released its manifesto on Sunday containing 173 promises.