IT News
Imphal, Nov 9:
Keisham Meghachandra, MLA and President of the Manipur Congress, met with the Finance Commission team and submitted a memorandum highlighting the state’s pressing concerns. He emphasized the unprecedented situation in Manipur, which has been plagued by violence and unrest. The memo included specific requests for financial aid to address the dire situation faced by the people of Manipur, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“Our first priority is the situation of the IDPs who have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict,” Meghachandra said. “We have requested the Commission to provide compensation for around 60,000 IDPs to help rebuild their homes and support other forms of financial aid.”
MPCC President Meghachandra highlighted the need for a special financial package for gram panchayats and urban local bodies, which have been severely impacted by the conflict. He noted that the local economy has come to a standstill, and the functioning of autonomous district councils has also been disrupted. He urged the Commission to allocate funds to ensure that these local bodies can carry out their essential duties and contribute to the recovery process.
“The gram panchayats and local bodies are currently dormant, but they still receive funds from the Centre. However, without a special financial package, we will not be able to recover the losses incurred due to the conflict,” he added.
Another key point raised by Keisham Meghachandra was the state’s budget for the financial year 2024-25, which has seen a decline after four decades of steady growth. The budget size has been reduced, signaling a contraction in the state’s economy, which has been directly and indirectly affected by the ongoing violence. He emphasized the need for the Finance Commission to recommend packages that could stimulate income generation and increase expenditure in critical areas.
“The decrease in the state budget indicates that our economy is suffering. This reduction is impacting everyone in Manipur. If we are to recover and increase our income generation, we need the Finance Commission to recommend special packages that address these challenges,” he stated. He even raised the issue of inflation in Manipur saying that “Manipur tops in inflation all over India.”
Congress memorandum also mentioned the development of universities, hospitals and sport infrastructure among others.
Manipur is the 11th state to be visited by the Finance Commission, with 17 more states left to be toured. The 16th Finance Commission, under the leadership of its chairman and members, is currently conducting a series of visits to various states to gather input from governments, political parties, and civil society organizations. The Commission’s task is to assess and formulate recommendations for the financial needs of the states for the upcoming period.
