Agartala: Tripura CM Manik Saha on Tuesday said the state would implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC) when directed by Centre, while indicating that the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council region could be exempted.At a media briefing, Saha said the state intended to enact UCC after a formal decision. Responding to questions on Union home minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks on the implementation of UCC in BJP-ruled states, Saha said Tripura would follow instructions from Centre.The discussion on UCC holds particular significance in Tripura because of the state’s tribal areas, where customary practices shape matters such as marriage and inheritance. Asked whether UCC could affect these traditional laws, Saha said there could be exemptions for tribal regions.Saha made the remarks after announcing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long initiative to be held across Tripura from September 17 to October 17 to mark 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The CM said the campaign would focus on the principles of Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan — service, good governance and welfare of the poor. Its core message, he said, would be “Jan Seva Hi Prabhu Seva”, underlining the need to ensure that govt welfare programmes reach all citizens.Saha said the public service journey being commemorated began on October 7, 2001, when Modi first took office as CM of Gujarat. He described the past 25 years of Modi’s public service and the public mandate in India’s diverse democracy as a significant chapter in the country’s democratic journey.The campaign will include activities such as Ashirwad Ka Diya, Mere Sapno Ka Bharat Chitra Seva, Namo Seva Ankahi Kahaniyan, Angan Milan Seva, Seva Ki Kahani, Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra, Seva Meri Yogdan, Seva Setu Abhiyan, Seva Ke Rang Rashtra Ke Sang, Seva First Innovation Challenge, Sushasan Samvad and Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra.Finance minister Pranajit Singha Roy will oversee the campaign in Tripura. Guardian ministers will be assigned to different districts, while MLAs and other elected representatives will assist in implementing the initiatives, Saha said.A committee comprising govt secretaries and district magistrates will prepare the action plan and oversee its execution. Department of Information and Cultural Affairs will be the nodal department.A major component of the campaign will be Seva Setu Abhiyan, under which 85 large camps will be held from Sept 29 to Oct 17. The camps will help people access welfare schemes of Centre and the state govt. They will be held at 58 block headquarters, 20 urban locations and panchayat areas.
