By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 15, 2022
Agartala, Sep 15 (FD) Tripura government has decided to extend the Durga Puja holidays for the employees for five more days, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said on Wednesday.
“Earlier four days of Durga Puja were considered to be holidays and Laxmi Puja was a restricted holiday. Now, an additional five days have been added to the Puja holiday window. So, from October 2 to October 9, all nine days will be considered as the puja holiday window,” said Chowdhury.
Addressing a press conference Chowdhury said the nine-day long holiday was approved by the state cabinet.
Announcing other important cabinet decisions, the ICA Minister said, to motivate farmers in organic farming, the government has decided to establish an organic certification agency under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
He said, the cabinet also decided to allot land for 52 families who were displaced for constructing Sabroom integrated check-post under the Revenue department.
The Revenue Department will allot 2.08 acre land for the families.
Chowdhury said, earlier the total land for organic farming in the state was 2000 hectares while the area now increased to 21,000 hectares.
The agency will be named Tripura State Organic Product Certification Agency (TSOPCA), Chowdhury said.
“Prime Minister Modi has a dream to transform the Northeast as a hub of organic agricultural products. Our neighbour Sikkim has already achieved organic certification as a state. Similarly, the rest of the Northeastern states are progressing towards that goal. Tripura being one of the states has also expanded its area of organic cultivation. We used to have 2,000 hectares of area under organic cultivation. The government has set the goal to expand organic cultivation in an area of 21,000 hectares,” Chowdhury said.
According to the minister, the agency will be responsible for all technological interventions related to organic cultivation.
“All kinds of information, technical guidance and development pertaining to the organic cultivation will be on the shoulders of the agency,” he said.
Chowdhury further said the revenue department has decided to give allotment to as many as 52 families who had lost their homes owing to the new Integrated Check Post, which is coming up at Sabroom.
“The state cabinet has approved the proposal of providing 2.08 acres of land to these landless families in different parts of the Sabroom revenue circle,” he added.
The state government has also extended the holiday window for Durga Puja.
The minister said a number of important decisions have been taken as part of the good governance campaign to be launched on September 17 next and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha will make the formal announcement on that day. FD PD JK