AGARTALA:
Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, on August 3, claimed that after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government in Tripura, it brought transparency into the finance department, which in turn allowed people to see how their money is being utilised by the government.
“There is transparency in the finance department, and with everything out in the open, people can discuss how their money is being utilised. If you want to work for the people, you have to listen to them, and the only way to do that is through transparency. The money belongs to the people, and they should be aware how their money is being used. Why keep it a secret?” Dev Varma said.
The finance minister also said that during the then Left Front government, the finance department was considered as an “exclusive” department of the Tripura government and people had no right to talk about it.
“The earlier finance department was considered as the confidential department of the Tripura government, and the people used to be tight-lipped about the financial status and parameters of the state. But now, people can talk about finance. There is nothing to hide,” he stated.
Speaking during a workshop on Government e-Market (GEM), an initiative of the finance department, at the Agartala Town Hall, Dev Varma said that GEM will be the government’s digital platform for local content marketing in the future.
“To avert any scams, corruption and to bring transparency, our government has introduced GeM. Digitization will be the only way for prosperity, transparency and development of the country in all fields. As a result, it is possible to easily complete audits in government offices,” he said.
The deputy chief minister also said that local traders, members of self-help groups, and self-employed people will be able to promote their products in the national market through their inclusion in GeM.
“As a result, the goods produced in the state will be much easier to reach the national market,” he added.
In conclusion, Dev Varma urged the concerned department to take initiatives so that more and more local businessmen register themselves with GeM. At present, 540 businessmen of the state are associated with GeM.