Government Assures Full Support for Economic Recovery in Manipur

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reassured Parliament of the government's commitment to aiding Manipur's recovery, highlighting Rs 1,861 crore supplementary grants and a new Rs 500 crore contingency fund. The government aims to restore normalcy with federal support and initiatives for displaced persons amid ongoing ethnic conflict.

In a parliamentary address on Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured that the government is extending all necessary support to the violence-affected state of Manipur. She emphasized the administration's commitment to speeding up the state's economic recovery, following prolonged ethnic unrest.

Highlighting the specifics of financial aid, Sitharaman presented a supplementary demand worth Rs 1,861 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. This fund includes Rs 948 crore earmarked for revenue expenditure and Rs 913 crore allocated for capital projects. She also announced a significant provision: a contingency fund of Rs 500 crore, marking the first occurrence of such a reserve for Manipur.

Addressing concerns raised by Manipur's MPs, the Minister detailed current efforts in restoring order and infrastructure. More than 400 army and police units are deployed to maintain peace and recover looted arms. Furthermore, the government is facilitating the return of displaced persons, with about 7,000 already resettled, and helicopter services resumed to ensure connectivity.

(With inputs from agencies.)