Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Thursday criticized the former Left Front government for distributing jobs through party offices based on political affiliation and said that the present government is providing employment based on merit and through a transparent process.

Dr Saha said during the state-level training program for Medical Officers (Dental), Nursing Officers, and Community Health Officers (CHOs), held at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala. He also flagged off two blood collection and transportation vans for Kailashahar and Bishalgarh Hospitals.

“We don’t believe in divisive policies. Those who governed the state for a long time followed such divisive practices. The former Chief Minister accuses me of distributing jobs, but what is this allegation based on? During their tenure, jobs were handed out from party offices. Only party-affiliated individuals were employed. We had the courage to provide over 19,000 jobs in a transparent manner. No one has ever challenged our recruitment process. We all witnessed what happened in the 10,323 teachers’ case. That is part of history now,” Dr Saha said.

He further accused the CPIM of trying to mislead the public with false statements.

“Government employees had to protest for Dearness Allowance (DA) earlier. Since I assumed office, not a single employee has had to protest. I am actively working to reduce the DA gap with the Centre, though funding is also a concern. Earlier, people had to pay bribes for transfers. Now, no one can claim jobs are given in exchange for money,” he added.

Dr Saha, who also holds the health portfolio, said that the state government has started developing a formula to increase HIV screening.

“Tripura has all necessary medical facilities. We have nine super-specialty services. Nearly 90% of diseases are treated within the state. We also have cancer treatment facilities. However, due to lack of awareness, people are still going outside the state for treatment. Tripura Medical College is performing well. We are working to strengthen sub-divisional and district hospitals. Self-development is our priority. We have increased bed capacity at AGMC and GB Hospital and directed the addition of 100 more beds,” he said.

He also informed that kidney transplant procedures have already begun in the state.

“Earlier, patients had to go outside Tripura and spend a lot of money for kidney transplants. But now, we have successfully conducted three transplants here. We’ve signed an MoU with MOHAN Foundation for liver transplants, and we are also in the process of starting bone marrow transplant services,” Dr Saha added.