Manipur’s budget debate: A stark reminder of neglect

The recent parliamentary debate on the Manipur Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 has once again exposed the widening gap between policy formulation in New Delhi and the realities on the ground in the conflict-ridden state. The discussion, marked by the interventions of Congress MPs Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Alfred Arthur, and Gaurav Gogoi, and the response from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlights critical concerns regarding governance, regional neglect, and the central government’s approach to Manipur’s ongoing crisis.
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a vocal critic of the central government’s handling of Manipur’s affairs, expressed deep frustration over the lack of targeted budgetary allocations for the state. He lamented that Manipur remained invisible in national fiscal planning, with no provisions for internally displaced persons or flood rehabilitation efforts. His statement—”Absence thy name is Manipur”—captured the prevailing sentiment of neglect. This criticism reflects a long-standing issue where the state’s humanitarian crisis is overshadowed by broader national priorities, leaving critical rehabilitation and development concerns unaddressed.
Gaurav Gogoi, in his speech, shifted the focus to the need for a political resolution rather than a purely security-driven approach. He argued that peace in Manipur cannot be achieved through military enforcement alone and called for meaningful political dialogue. Gogoi also questioned the imposition of President’s Rule and the uncertain status of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, raising concerns about the centralization of authority and the erosion of democratic processes in the state. His remarks pointed to a deeper issue—whether governance in Manipur is being dictated by electoral calculations rather than genuine concern for its people.
In response, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the budget’s allocations, asserting the government’s commitment to equitable development. However, her remarks did little to dispel the growing perception that Manipur has been sidelined. Civil society organizations and analysts criticized the absence of direct fiscal measures for the state’s displaced population, with some even arguing that the budget reflects the government’s indifference towards Manipur’s suffering. The Economic and Research Development Organisation (ERDO) went as far as stating that the silence on Manipur demonstrated how insignificant the state had become in the eyes of the Union government.
The parliamentary discussion on Manipur’s budget highlights a broader crisis of governance. It is evident that while policies are being framed in Delhi, they fail to align with the actual needs of the people in the state. The absence of targeted rehabilitation packages, the lack of a clear roadmap for restoring democratic governance, and the failure to engage in inclusive political dialogue indicate a governance vacuum. This raises pressing questions: How can peace be restored when those in power refuse to listen to voices on the ground? What message does it send when a state struggling with displacement and ethnic strife is virtually ignored in national financial planning?
Beyond political posturing, what Manipur needs is a budget that directly addresses its crisis. The central government must move beyond generic fiscal policies and ensure that funds are specifically allocated for rehabilitation, infrastructure rebuilding, and long-term economic recovery. More importantly, governance must return to the people of Manipur, rather than being dictated from afar under the guise of emergency measures. Until these issues are addressed, the perception of neglect will only deepen, further alienating the state from the national mainstream.
This budget discussion should have been an opportunity to reaffirm Manipur’s place in India’s collective future. Instead, it has reinforced the idea that the state remains an afterthought in national policymaking. Without a shift in approach—one that prioritizes people over politics—Manipur will continue to struggle in the shadows, waiting for the attention it desperately deserves.