SENAPATI, Nov 28: In a significant development, the President of India has responded to a petition seeking a separate and independent budget for the Hill Areas of Manipur. The petition was filed by K. Timothy Zimik, retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and former Outer Manipur (ST) Lok Sabha candidate, who has long advocated for systemic reforms to address developmental disparities in the state.

The President’s Secretariat, through a letter has directed the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, to take appropriate action on the petition.

Zimik informed all stakeholders of the Hill Areas that the President has initiated a process of fact-finding and enquiries into the financial status of Manipur, separate Budget for the Hill Areas of Manipur and the suggestions for governance pattern of the state of Manipur. He stated that this marks an important beginning but cautioned that a “long struggle lies ahead.”

“Therefore, we must be prepared to substantiate our contentions and assertions. We need to have all the solid documents, evidences and relevant materials pertaining to budget allocations to the Hill Areas and the Imphal Valley for the last 4 years, funds allocated to, but diverted or projects sanctioned for the Hill Areas but not implemented, etc,” Zimik stated.

He urged stakeholders to cooperate, work together and provide the above details to the Petitioner or any group including the elected Representatives & UNC so that, as and when the concerned Authorities request for the required evidences, the details can be submitted promptly without further delay.

In his earlier petition to President Droupadi Murmu, Zimik argued that decades of constitutional neglect, political marginalisation, and administrative imbalance have left the Hill Areas severely underdeveloped. Citing Article 371C, he asserted that the President and Governor are constitutionally mandated to ensure proper governance of the Hill Areas through the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).

He stated that although a Presidential Order in 1972 established the HAC, successive governments have allowed the institution to become “virtually defunct.” He also accused several Governors of failing to fulfil their “special responsibility” under Paragraph 9 of the same order.

Zimik reiterated the long-standing tribal demand for Sixth Schedule status, arguing that the current Autonomous District Council (ADC) framework provides neither meaningful autonomy nor adequate protection.

Highlighting the persistent developmental imbalance, he noted that while the Hill Areas account for 90% of Manipur’s landmass, they remain economically stagnant. Many poor farmers, he said, are pushed into poppy cultivation due to the absence of viable livelihood options.

He further claimed that although over 51% of funds allocated to Manipur under the 15th Finance Commission formula are attributable to the Hill Areas, “only a fraction” actually reaches them due to systemic diversion of resources to the Imphal Valley.

Zimik’s petition urged the President to:

• 1. Invoke constitutional provisions under Article 371C
• 2. Ensure equitable distribution of central funds
• 3. Revive and empower the Hill Areas Committee
• 4. Replace existing ADCs with genuine self-governing bodies
• 5. And most importantly, create a separate budget exclusively for the Hill Areas.