WMC opposes separate budget for hill areas, urges PM to intervene

The World Meetei Council (WMC), a prominent civil society organisation, has strongly opposed the Centre’s recent move to prepare a separate budget for the hill areas of Manipur. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the WMC expressed deep concern over the Union finance ministry’s directive to consider such an arrangement, warning that it could undermine the state’s unity and territorial integrity.
The issue surfaced after the Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division) of the Union finance ministry, in an office memorandum dated November 26, 2025, asked the Department of Expenditure to take action on a petition seeking a separate budget for the hill areas of Manipur. The memorandum was issued in response to a communication from the Rashtrapati Bhavan Secretariat dated November 18, 2025, which forwarded a petition received from Manipur on October 10, 2025. The petition reportedly highlighted the state’s financial condition, called for a separate budget for hill areas, and suggested changes in governance patterns.
In its letter, the WMC urged the Prime Minister to disallow the proposal, cautioning that such a move could encourage separatist narratives and destabilise the fragile situation in the state. “It appears, unfortunately, as though Manipur is being treated as a testing ground for experimental policies – reducing its people to mere subjects in a larger political laboratory,” the organisation stated.
The WMC noted that despite Manipur being under President’s Rule and direct control of the Union government, the suffering of the people has only intensified. It pointed out that unresolved issues over the past two and a half years have displaced more than 60,000 people, many of whom continue to live in relief camps. “This has unfortunately become the defining feature of the current policy framework concerning Manipur,” the letter observed.
The organisation further criticised what it described as the government’s prolonged inaction and lack of urgency in addressing the crisis. “When a crisis is allowed to persist, it inevitably grows in complexity and magnitude,” the WMC remarked, adding that the Centre’s approach has resulted in immense and prolonged suffering for the people of the state.
Alongside its objections, the WMC offered a three-point recommendation to the Prime Minister aimed at restoring stability, peace, and justice in Manipur. First, it called for ensuring full accountability of the Indian Army in maintaining strict neutrality and fairness while dealing with all communities and stakeholders during the ongoing crisis. Second, it urged immediate restoration and protection of all national highways in Manipur, stressing that these vital lifelines must remain free from blockades or disturbances. “The Army and paramilitary forces are fully capable of securing these lifelines,” the organisation asserted.
Finally, the WMC appealed to the Prime Minister to disallow and discourage any form of separatist narrative or movement from groups or factions that threaten the territorial integrity and unity of Manipur and the nation. “These immediate steps will serve as an essential beginning toward restoring confidence, harmony and stability in the region,” the letter concluded.
The WMC reiterated its commitment to extend unconditional service and cooperation in resolving the crisis, but emphasised that urgent intervention from the Centre was necessary to prevent further deterioration of the situation.