Agartala, Nov 12 :Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over alleged irregularities in the implementation of a government-supported sericulture scheme during an inspection of facilities provided to mulberry cultivators in North Tripura district.
The minister warned officials against violating prescribed guidelines and stressed that public funds allocated for livelihood generation must be utilised transparently and effectively.
The inspection was part of Debbarma's second day of field visits in the district, during which he reviewed the functioning of various government departments and assessed the implementation of welfare and livelihood programmes.
He was accompanied by Joint Director of the Handloom and Sericulture Department Shivaji Saha and other departmental officials.
The minister began the day's programme with a review meeting at Kanchanpur Dak Bungalow, where he discussed departmental functioning, office infrastructure, service delivery and administrative challenges with officials.
He subsequently visited the homes of mulberry cultivators to inspect structures constructed under government schemes to support sericulture activities.
During the visit, complaints were raised about the quality of construction of beneficiary houses and work sheds. Allegations were also made that some structures had not been built according to approved specifications and departmental guidelines.
The minister reportedly expressed displeasure after officials failed to produce key project documents and approved estimates relating to the construction works during the inspection.
Questioning the implementation process, Debbarma stressed that government schemes were intended to improve livelihoods and promote economic self-reliance among beneficiaries.
He said public money must be utilised responsibly and warned that deviations from established norms would not be tolerated.
The minister also expressed concern that despite the provision of government assistance and materials to mulberry cultivators, the expected benefits were not always reflected on the ground. He called for closer monitoring to ensure that support reached genuine beneficiaries.
Later, Debbarma visited a mulberry plantation at Nabajoy Para under Laljuri Block and reviewed cultivation activities while interacting with farmers.
He expressed satisfaction with the growth of mulberry plants at the site and said sericulture had the potential to become an important pillar of the rural economy if government assistance was implemented effectively.
The minister said systematic planning, proper execution and regular monitoring could boost silk production, generate employment and improve the financial condition of rural households.
The field inspection was aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the implementation of government welfare and livelihood schemes, officials said.
