Seven more Demands for Grants passed in Manipur Assembly after withdrawal of Cut Motions

The Manipur Legislative Assembly today passed seven Demands for Grants for the financial year ending March 31, 2027 after opposition members withdrew their policy cut motions during the discussion.
The demands were moved in the House by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who holds the Finance portfolio.
The Assembly approved a sum of Rs. 16,29,33,000 for Demand No. 9 relating to the Information and Publicity Department. Demand No. 11 for the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services Department was also passed with an allocation of Rs. 1,423,53,69,000. For Demand No. 15 covering the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department, the House approved Rs. 88,01,91,000.
Similarly, the House passed Rs. 162,06,28,000 for Demand No. 26 concerning the Administration of Justice Department. An allocation of Rs. 791,75,33,000 was approved for Demand No. 44 relating to the Social Welfare Department, while Rs. 36,12,52,000 was granted for Demand No. 45 for the Tourism Department. Demand No. 46 for the Science and Technology Department was also passed with an allocation of Rs. 7,09,10,000.
During the discussion, several opposition MLAs moved policy cut motions proposing that the respective demands be reduced to Re. 1 in order to draw attention to alleged shortcomings in the functioning of the departments.
On Demand No. 11 for Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services, Congress MLA K. Ranjit Singh raised concerns regarding the alleged failure to effectively implement key health schemes such as Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Congress Legislature Party leader K. Meghachandra Singh pointed to issues including the limited reach of major health schemes in remote and rural areas, deterioration of infrastructure and services in district hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres, inadequate measures to upgrade hospitals, and insufficient healthcare facilities for internally displaced persons.
MLA Th. Lokeshwar Singh raised concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment of staff at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), the inability to effectively control diseases such as AIDS and dengue, and inadequate infrastructure at Primary Health Sub-Centres, PHCs and CHCs. MLA Surjakumar Okram also raised issues regarding the alleged failure to create required posts for effective regulation and monitoring of drugs, the non-functioning of the State Drug Testing Laboratory and inadequate implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
On Demand No. 15 for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, MLA K. Ranjit Singh raised concerns over the reduction in allocation under the Public Distribution System. MLA Th. Lokeshwar Singh highlighted alleged irregularities in issuing ration cards and the inability to provide rice to newly issued ration card holders.
A policy cut motion was also moved by MLA K. Ranjit Singh on Demand No. 26 relating to the Administration of Justice, citing delay in filling two vacant posts of judges in the High Court of Manipur.
On Demand No. 44 for the Social Welfare Department, MLA K. Meghachandra Singh raised concerns over the alleged inability to ensure adequate welfare support and rehabilitation for women, children and other vulnerable groups since May 3, 2023. MLA Th. Lokeshwar Singh pointed to alleged irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries under the old age pension scheme and delays in the release of old age and widow pensions.
Regarding Demand No. 45 for Tourism, MLA K. Ranjit Singh highlighted the lack of efforts to develop and maintain tourist sites in the state. MLA K. Meghachandra Singh also raised concerns over the alleged inaction of the department in promoting eco-tourism, cultural tourism and adventure tourism, which he said had deprived many youths of employment opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, transport, handicrafts and local enterprises. MLA Th. Lokeshwar Singh further pointed to the alleged failure to protect and develop Kongba Maru Laiphamlen.
However, after the discussion, the opposition members withdrew their policy cut motions, following which the House passed all seven Demands for Grants moved by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.