As the Lok Sabha approves Manipur’s budget, CPI(M) claims it does not sufficiently address the needs of over 60,000 displaced citizens or fund critical reconstruction projects in affected regions like Churachandpur and Moreh.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, March 12:
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticized the Manipur budget for 2025-26, calling it “inadequate” in addressing the humanitarian and economic crises gripping the state. The Janata Dal (United) also expressed reservations, terming the financial statement “not fully satisfactory.”
The CPI(M) contended that the budget lacks concrete measures to aid over 60,000 displaced individuals affected by ethnic violence and fails to allocate sufficient funds for reconstruction efforts in Churachandpur, Moreh, and parts of Imphal. “Despite an increase in allocations compared to the previous year, this budget does not reflect the ground realities. It does little to support those who have lost their homes and livelihoods,” said CPI(M) state unit secretary Kshetrimayum Shanta. He also pointed out the absence of provisions for flood relief, despite Manipur experiencing one of its worst floods in decades.
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Echoing similar concerns, JD(U) Manipur unit secretary Maisnam Dorendro stated, “While some argue that the budget does not sufficiently cover the needs of internally displaced people, it is worth noting that previous funds were allocated for their assistance. However, overall, the financial statement remains unsatisfactory.”
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Manipur budget for 2025-26, alongside supplementary demands for grants amounting to ₹51,463 crore in additional spending for the current financial year. It also approved ₹1,291 crore in excess grants for the fiscal year 2021-22 and ₹1,861 crore in supplementary demands for 2024-25.
Defending the budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that total receipts for Manipur are estimated at ₹35,368 crore, with total expenditure projected at ₹35,104 crore. She highlighted that the state’s own tax revenue is expected to be ₹2,634 crore, with an additional ₹400 crore from non-tax revenue.
“Just as we have exte
Displaced in Manipur 60,000 plus. Assume 10 members in each family, 6000 plus families. 35 Cr towards housing for displaced. ₹58,333 per household?? Properties worth hundred of crores destroyed. ₹7 cr towards compensation? Or is it only for valley??@nsitharaman
— Paolienlal Haokip (@paolienlal) March 12, 2025
nded financial support to Jammu and Kashmir, we are providing all necessary assistance for Manipur’s economic recovery,” Sitharaman said. She announced a ₹500 crore contingency fund to aid rehabilitation efforts and assured that ₹400 crore has been allocated for relief camp operations. Additionally, under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY), 7,000 houses have been approved to provide shelter for those displaced by the ongoing crisis.
Manipur remains under President’s Rule, with legislative powers currently exercised by Parliament following the imposition of Article 356 last month. While Sitharaman asserted that the state’s law and order situation has improved, opposition leaders continue to demand stronger measures to address the pressing needs of Manipur’s citizens.
