Delay in fund clearance for VDF uniforms may trigger agitation from April 1

The All Manipur VDF Employees Welfare Association has warned of a statewide agitation beginning April 1, 2026, if the Finance Department fails to clear encashment permission for funds earmarked for procurement of Village Defence Force (VDF) uniforms within the current financial year.
Addressing a press conference at the Manipur Press Club on Saturday, Association President S. Sanjit Singh expressed concern over the continued delay in processing the amount of Rs. 1,60,18,624 sanctioned for VDF uniforms.
He stated that a revised budget proposal for the said amount was submitted by the Manipur Police Headquarters to the Home Department on December 23, 2025, based on inputs from all district Superintendents of Police. The proposal, he said, was taken up for processing after nearly two months and subsequently received approval from the State Home Minister on March 18, 2026, following which it was forwarded to the Finance Department for encashment clearance.
However, Sanjit Singh alleged that the file remains pending with the Finance Department despite the financial year nearing its close, raising uncertainty over timely release of funds.
He cautioned that failure to grant encashment permission within the current financial year would leave VDF personnel without uniforms, compelling them to resort to agitation from April 1 across the state demanding immediate action.