Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister and Leader of the House Nongthombam Biren Singh presented the annual state budget estimate for 2024-25 on the first day of the 6th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
The new budget estimates the state’s total receipts for 2024-25 at Rs 34,815 crore, with revenue receipts of Rs 27,716 crore and capital receipts of Rs 7,099 crore. The state’s own tax and non-tax receipts are estimated at Rs 2,470 crore and Rs 300 crore, respectively.
The proposed total gross expenditure from the Consolidated Fund is Rs 34,899 crore, with revenue expenditure at Rs 20,628 crore and a capital outlay of Rs 8,616 crore. The fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs (-) 1,526 crore, which is 3% of the GSDP. The total outstanding debt as a percentage of GSDP is projected at 35%.
The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2024-25 is estimated at Rs 49,937 crore.
Presenting the budget, the chief minister emphasized the significance of agriculture to the state’s economy, acknowledging the challenges faced by farmers due to recent unrest and natural disasters. He assured that compensation has been paid to many affected farmers, with more to follow. Efforts are underway to ensure all cultivable land is accessible to farmers. The chief minister highlighted the increased support from Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and announced a substantial allocation of Rs 883 crore in the budget for agriculture and allied sectors, including fisheries, horticulture, animal husbandry, and organic crops.
Biren Singh also underscored the government’s commitment to sports. Key initiatives include the ‘Sportspersons Livelihood Guarantee Scheme,’ with a Rs 4 crore budget, to assist retired athletes without livelihoods. Funds have been allocated for quality coaching, including hiring foreign coaches, and support for indigenous arts, games, and football clubs. Plans are in progress for the Manipur Football Academy and new football fields with natural grass. Upgrading sports infrastructure is a priority, with two projects under NESIDS, including a Rs 40 crore Multipurpose Indoor Stadium and a ‘Digital Infrastructure of Sports Excellence’ project. An allocation of Rs 98 crore has been made for sports development, excluding additional infrastructure support from various schemes.
The chief minister highlighted the achievements of the present government. In education, basic infrastructure like electricity, water, and sanitation have been strengthened. 51% of schools now have electricity, and solar panels have been provided to all 240 targeted secondary and senior secondary schools, as well as to 367 out of 434 targeted elementary schools. Potable drinking water has been provided to all government schools, and 75% of schools have separate functional toilets for both boys and girls.
In the health sector, Manipur is making significant progress towards achieving SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being. According to the NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2023-24, Manipur’s score improved from rank 75 to 68, placing it second among NE states after Tripura. Ayushman cards have been issued to 6,02,268 beneficiaries, covering 45% of the population, with the remaining 4,81,445 to be covered by December 31, 2024, under the PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
The chief minister expressed the government’s concern over recent natural disasters in the state. For managing the effects of these disasters and providing relief, including Rs 10,000 per household affected by floods, about Rs 60 crore has been sanctioned from SDRF, and an additional Rs 20 crore has been recently approved. A proposal for compensation for damages caused by a hailstorm has been submitted to the Central Government following a recent inspection by the Central Team.
Presenting the “Demands for Excess Grants” for the financial year 2018-19, CM Biren Singh informed the House that an excess expenditure of Rs 1,729.49 crore occurred under one appropriation. This excess expenditure was due to the re-payment of ways and means advances. He emphasized that the excess amounts over the charged appropriation need regularization as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee, which has made valuable recommendations for improving the budgeting system and enforcing stricter financial discipline.
During the Question Hour on the first day of the session, CM Biren Singh, responding to a question from MLA Surjakumar Okram, informed the House that there is no current policy to extend the service tenure of government employees from 60 to 62 years. He also said that Rs 808.17 crore in pending payments for pensioners will be cleared by March. The feasibility of extending service tenures will be considered.
In response to a query from MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh, CM Biren Singh said that representatives from respective constituencies may apply for the construction of playgrounds in their areas.
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Replying to MLA Keisham Meghachandra Singh’s question regarding the failure to conduct Panchayat elections despite a 32-month gap, Minister RD&PR Yumnam Khemchand Singh informed the House that the state cabinet has resolved to conduct the Panchayat election in September 2024.
The State Election Commission has been informed to fix the date. The election had been postponed due to the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
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