New Delhi, August 7: Amid fierce protests and sloganeering by the Opposition, the Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Manipur Budget for the financial year 2025–26, authorising a total outlay of ₹30,969.44 crore. The budget includes allocations beyond the ₹35,103.90 crore provisionally passed in March, and was cleared by a voice vote alongside the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget under Article 356, citing the President’s Rule in Manipur and asserting that it was a “constitutional necessity.” Urging MPs to engage in constructive debate instead of disruptions, she condemned the Opposition’s protests as politically motivated and hypocritical.
“I’m surprised by those who earlier claimed to stand with Manipur but now resist funding essential to its recovery. These are nothing but ‘ghariyali aansoo’ (crocodile tears),” Sitharaman remarked in a scathing rebuttal to the Opposition benches.
Presiding over the proceedings, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal repeatedly called for order and reminded members that ongoing legal matters—such as the voter roll revision in Bihar—were sub judice and outside the purview of parliamentary discussion.
Key Budget Allocations for Manipur:
- ₹523 crore for rehabilitation of internally displaced persons
- ₹542 crore for security infrastructure
- ₹500 crore for deployment of Central Armed Police Forces
- ₹633 crore to clear high-interest public sector loans
- ₹700 crore for capital infusion into critical sectors
The Finance Minister emphasized that the budget aimed at stabilizing Manipur’s fragile socio-economic landscape, which has been marred by ethnic conflict and displacement since 2023. An additional ₹2,898 crore central allocation was also announced, with ₹1,667 crore earmarked for capital expenditure and ₹1,231 crore for revenue expenditure.
Sitharaman also introduced a Bill to authorize payments from the Consolidated Fund of the State of Manipur for the fiscal year 2025–26. The House subsequently concluded discussion on the Demands for Grants and adjourned for the day.
Despite the uproar, the government has defended the budget as a crucial intervention to rebuild the state and restore public confidence under President’s Rule.
