The presentation of the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on Tuesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament has sparked criticism from Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who expressed dismay over the absence of provisions for Manipur, particularly for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and flood rehabilitation efforts in the strife-torn state.

In a pointed remark on social media platform X, MP Akoijam lamented, “Absence thy name is Manipur, that’s the budget speak! Nothing on flood and rehabilitation package for IDPs in the state!” This critique marks his first comment following the unveiling of the budget, highlighting what he perceives as a glaring omission in the government’s fiscal priorities.

The Finance Minister’s address, which outlined various allocations for sectors across the country, notably included assurances for flood-affected regions in Bihar, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim under the ‘Irrigation and Flood Mitigation’ segment. However, there was no mention of Manipur, despite the state grappling with its own challenges from floods amidst ongoing internal conflicts.

MP Akoijam, who recently gained attention for his impassioned maiden speech addressing the crisis in Manipur during parliamentary proceedings, has been vocal about the urgent need for central assistance to address humanitarian crises and developmental challenges faced by the state.