Manipur CM seeks Centre’ support to tide over state’s financial crisis

IMPHAL, Oct 29: Manipur government has sought Centre’s support to help the state tide over the financial crisis it has been facing owing to the ongoing protracted crisis.
Chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh sought the Centre’s support during a meeting with Union finance and corporate affairs minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Thursday.
Manipur has suffered a total revenue loss of around Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,300 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections over the past three years (from 2023 to 2026) due to prolonged violence crisis, highway blockades, and shutdowns, according to the state chief minister who is also looking after the finance portfolio.
Official sources said that the state incurred a loss of Rs 475 crore in GST collections during the 2023–24 fiscal year alone.
By March 31, 2026, Manipur’s total borrowings, debt, and liabilities grew to Rs 32,590.57 crore.
Singh, during the meeting with the finance minister at her office in Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi, discussed the overall financial health of the state and sought enhanced central assistance, the chief minister’s office said, in a release.
During the meeting, the chief minister apprised the Union finance minister about the state government’s ongoing efforts to maintain financial discipline and improve fiscal management.
He highlighted that the state government has successfully ensured the timely payment of salaries and pensions to its employees on the first working day of every month. Singh further discussed the progress of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the state and briefed the Union finance minister on the effective implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and other developmental projects.
Highlighting the revenue losses suffered by Manipur over the last three years, the chief minister urged the Union finance minister for Central support to help the state tide over the current financial crisis, the release said. He also requested additional funding under the SASCI (Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment) scheme.
The Union finance minister assured that all possible help and support from the Centre will be extended to the state government to improve the financial health of Manipur. During the meeting, the chief minister also presented a traditional Lengyan and a painting of Radha Krishna to the Union finance minister.