Priyanka Tiwari
Share
In an address to the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman justified the Modi government's commitment to restoring normalcy in the troubled state of Manipur, asserting that the 2025-26 Budget aims to address the economic impact of the ongoing ethnic conflicts in the region.
During the discussion, Sitharaman emphasized that Manipur is a highly sensitive issue and that all political parties should come together to ensure lasting peace in the state, which has been severely affected by ethnic violence.
Manipur Under President’s Rule: Key Budget Allocations
As of now, Manipur is under President's Rule, following the proclamation under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution last month. This move has transferred the legislative powers of the state to the Parliament.
Sitharaman had presented the Manipur Budget for 2025-26 on March 10, outlining an expenditure of Rs 35,103.90 crore, a significant increase from the Rs 32,656.81 crore allocated for the current financial year. The capital outlay for the state has risen by 9%, amounting to Rs 7,773 crore.
Opposition Criticism: Lack of Action and Response
During the Rajya Sabha session, the Opposition heavily criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his failure to visit Manipur after the violence erupted. They argued that President's Rule is not beneficial for the country’s democracy and questioned the effectiveness of the "double-engine government" in addressing the crisis.
Sushmita Dev from the Trinamool Congress labeled the 2025-26 budget as "run-of-the-mill" and a missed opportunity for the Prime Minister to demonstrate his commitment to the people of Manipur.
Shaktisinh Gohil of the Congress also weighed in, stressing that the people of Manipur would feel the government's support only when the Prime Minister visits the state. He appealed to the Prime Minister to follow the Gandhi Model and personally visit Manipur, referencing Mahatma Gandhi's roots in Gujarat.
Financial Support for Relief and Rehabilitation
The Central Government has allocated substantial funds for the relief and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur. The provisions include:
- ₹2,866 crore for incentives for police personnel stationed in sensitive areas.
- ₹15 crore for temporary shelter for displaced individuals.
- ₹35 crore for housing displaced people.
- ₹100 crore for relief operations.
- ₹7 crore in compensation for victims of the violence.
Read More: Muslim Body in Bihar Rejects Nitish Kumar's Iftaar Invitation Over Waqf Bill Controversy
_1492969614_100x75.jpg)