Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday, 17 July declared that village development is the cornerstone of India's journey toward Viksit Bharat, asserting that genuine progress can only be measured by the positive changes it brings to ordinary people's lives. Speaking at the inauguration of the state-based Panchayat Awards 2026-27 at Gram Swaraj Bhavan in AD Nagar, Agartala, Saha highlighted Tripura's emergence as a national leader in grassroots governance.

Tripura's National Recognition in Panchayat Governance

Saha noted that nearly 80 per cent of Tripura's Panchayats have ranked among the top performers on national performance indicators, with the highest-scoring Gram Panchayats, blocks, and districts in the country all hailing from the state. He credited the Panchayati Raj Department for its sustained focus and said the achievement reflects coordinated efforts by administrative officials, elected representatives, and citizens alike.

Sepahijala district has been recognised as the Best District in the country, while Kanchanbari Gram Panchayat has been adjudged the Best Healthy Panchayat at the national level. Baikunthapur Village Committee received the distinction of Best Women-Friendly Panchayat, and Bijaynagar Gram Panchayat under Mohanpur block won the National e-Governance Award for the second consecutive year.

The 'Boutique Panchayat' Innovation

Saha drew particular attention to Bijaynagar's 'Boutique Panchayat' concept, describing it as a governance model with no parallel elsewhere in the country. He said such ground-up innovations are setting new benchmarks for Panchayat administration nationally and underscored Tripura's growing reputation for institutional creativity at the village level.

Rural Demographics and the Development Imperative

'Nearly 75 per cent of Tripura's geographical area is rural, and around 75 per cent of the state's population resides in villages and Panchayat areas. Therefore, their development is crucial,' Saha said. He argued that previous governments had pursued largely urban-centric growth, leaving rural areas behind, and framed village self-reliance as both a state and national priority.

Saha invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, noting that Modi has consistently stressed making Panchayats self-reliant and technologically empowered. 'A developed India by 2047 cannot be achieved without the development of villages,' the Chief Minister quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Awards Ceremony and Key Attendees

A total of 51 awards were presented across different categories at the function to recognise excellence in Panchayat governance. Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman, Rural Development Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, Panchayat Department Director Prasun Dey, and several senior government officials were present at the event.

Saha closed with a note on accountability: 'These awards have enhanced our reputation, but they have also increased our responsibility. The true measure of our success is when we can bring smiles to the faces of those at the lowest rung of society.' With Tripura's Panchayat model now drawing national attention, the state's next challenge will be sustaining this performance as scrutiny — and expectations — intensify.