Economic Recovery in Manipur: A Mirage for the Common People?

Manipur’s recent economic data suggests an 18% growth in the state’s own resources, including State GST collections, from May to September 2024 as per a statement of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. At first glance, this might appear as a sign of recovery for a state that has been grappling with a prolonged crisis. However, the reality for the average citizen is far from what these figures might suggest. For the nearly 90,000 individuals fortunate enough to have government jobs, the situation is far from comfortable, with rising inflation and skyrocketing prices of essential commodities placing a severe strain on household budgets. When commodity prices soar by an estimated 300%, no statistical growth can offset the palpable distress felt by the common people.
Two of Manipur’s largest business houses have recently shut down, leaving their direct and indirect employees jobless, adding to the growing list of those affected by economic uncertainty. Small-time business owners are feeling the pinch as their enterprises continue to struggle or fail altogether. The crisis has effectively forced many traders, especially those based in commercial hubs like Moreh, Churachandpur, and Senapati, to stop their businesses. Without a stable economic environment and with violence driving trade to a halt, the prospects for these small businesses look bleak.
While the government may tout infrastructure projects such as the Rs. 650 crore Lamphelpat Waterbody Rejuvenation Project as evidence of economic progress, such initiatives do little to directly benefit the average citizen. The forced relocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) to Kakching district to accommodate this project is yet another example of how development efforts are often disconnected from the needs of the broader population. Manipur’s challenges are far more complex than can be addressed by infrastructure projects alone, especially when they fail to generate immediate, tangible benefits for the people.
Education, a key driver of long-term economic growth, is also in a state of disarray. Yesterday, the Imphal Times reported that contractual teachers under the Education S department, as well as some college faculty members, have not been paid their salaries for the past 16 months. This is an alarming failure of governance that strikes at the heart of the education sector. How can a state aim to improve its economy or secure its future if its teachers, those responsible for shaping the next generation, are left without salaries for over a year?
The situation at Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) is similarly dire. Despite its importance, the institution remains without a Vice-Chancellor, leaving it in a state of limbo. The government’s much-lauded ‘School Fagathansi Mission’, launched in 2019 to improve government schools, has seen little success in the current context. Many government colleges across the state are struggling, and the grand vision of educational reform seems to have stalled entirely. How can a state talk of progress when its educational institutions are left to stagnate?
Economic growth must be inclusive and reach all levels of society. The benefits of development should trickle down to the common people, not remain confined to a few sectors or infrastructure projects that fail to create immediate job opportunities or improve the quality of life for the masses. Manipur’s present economic model is out of sync with the ground realities. The inflationary pressure on essential goods is making it increasingly difficult for families to survive. Price hikes, business closures, and unpaid salaries are not indicators of recovery but of a deepening economic crisis that the state must confront head-on.
Beyond the economy, Manipur’s ongoing political and security crisis continues to cast a long shadow over any prospect of a genuine recovery. The unresolved ethnic conflicts and political tensions have made it difficult to foster an environment conducive to growth. Instead of facing these issues directly, attempts to divert attention by highlighting selective economic growth only serve to mislead the public. It is high time the government acknowledges the gravity of the situation and takes comprehensive steps to end the crisis.
A holistic approach is needed—one that goes beyond mere numbers and addresses the structural issues at hand. Rebuilding Manipur’s economy requires restoring law and order, supporting small businesses, ensuring timely payment of salaries, and revitalizing the education sector. Without these measures, claims of economic recovery will remain empty promises, far removed from the realities of the common people. Manipur needs real solutions, not statistical distractions.
As the crisis deepens, it is imperative that the state and central governments work together to implement policies that will restore normalcy and foster true economic growth that benefits everyone, not just a select few. There is no time for complacency. Manipur cannot afford to stagnate any longer. Ending the crisis and fostering real, inclusive recovery is the only path forward.