Manipur budget allocates ₹350 crore for SHG scheme to empower 3.5 lakh women

Imphal: A new Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Women through Self Help Groups (SHGs), expected to benefit about 3.5 lakh women across Manipur, was announced by Leader of the House and Chief Minister  Y. Khemchand Singh, while presenting the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2026–27 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Presenting the Budget during the ongoing 7th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that the scheme aims to strengthen women-led SHGs and enhance financial independence among women across the state.

Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided to women beneficiaries over a period of three years, with ₹10,000 to be provided to each beneficiary in the first year through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

An amount of ₹350 crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the Budget, he added.

Earlier in the House, the Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly informed members about the President’s assent to a Bill.

The Chief Minister subsequently presented the Tenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2026, and moved a motion seeking approval of the House for the allocation of time proposed by the Committee.

He also presented the Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2025–26 before the House.

Revenue growth and Centre’s support

Highlighting key aspects of the Budget, the Chief Minister stated that with improvement in the law and order situation in the state, considerable progress has been achieved across various sectors. He expressed gratitude to the people of Manipur for maintaining peace and appreciated the continued support of the Government of India in restoring normalcy.

He informed the House that the state’s own revenue collection has shown steady growth, increasing from ₹2,087 crore in 2024–25 to ₹2,887 crore in 2026–27, reflecting a growth of more than 38 percent within two years.

The Chief Minister also stated that during the current year, the Government of India extended a special package of ₹2,198 crore to assist the state in pre-payment of high interest-bearing loans, meeting security-related expenditure, covering charges for Central Paramilitary Force deployment, and supporting the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He noted that the assistance from the Centre has strengthened the rehabilitation efforts of the state government while ensuring that development spending is not constrained by rising revenue expenditure. The Central government has also assured continued support to Manipur in the financial year 2026–27 as the state continues on the path of peace and economic recovery.

The government, he added, remains committed to enhancing revenue generation and rationalising expenditure while ensuring that capital expenditure for development is not adversely affected.

As part of the Union government’s initiative to strengthen public financial management, the state has introduced the SNA-SPARSH fund release mechanism for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) to ensure efficient and timely utilisation of funds.

Focus on IDP rehabilitation and connectivity

The Chief Minister said that the rehabilitation and resettlement of internally displaced persons remains a key priority of the government. The Government of India has extended support for the construction of permanent houses, compensation for loss of personal belongings and movable assets, and assistance for renovation and repair of partially damaged houses.

An amount of ₹734 crore has been provided in the Budget for the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs during the financial year 2026–27, he said.

Strengthening connectivity also remains a key priority of the government. Apart from expansion and upgradation of roads, adequate funding has been provided for the maintenance of existing roads.

For this purpose, ₹914 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimates for 2026–27, which will supplement resources under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the NESIDS scheme of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), and the SASCI scheme for the road sector.

The Chief Minister further stated that the government plans to clear all existing backlogs of retirement benefits of employees during the current year, and necessary provisions have been made in the Revised Estimates for 2025–26.

He pointed out that Central Finance Commission transfers account for more than 40 percent of the state’s total revenue receipts, making the Commission’s award critically important for Manipur.

The 16th Finance Commission Report, covering the period 2026–27 to 2030–31, was tabled in Parliament on February 1, 2026, and the state Budget has incorporated the tax transfers and grants allotted to Manipur for the financial year 2026–27.

Budget estimates and fiscal outlook

The Chief Minister informed the House that the government will continue to undertake initiatives across sectors to accelerate growth, create employment opportunities particularly for the youth, and improve the quality of life of the people.

For the financial year 2026–27, special emphasis has been placed on connectivity, skill development, women entrepreneurship, tourism promotion, drinking water supply, irrigation systems, and infrastructure development in urban and district headquarters.

Presenting the Revised Estimates for 2025–26, he stated that total receipts are estimated at ₹32,366 crore, comprising revenue receipts of ₹22,835 crore and capital receipts of ₹9,237 crore. The state’s own tax and non-tax receipts are estimated at ₹1,934 crore and ₹450 crore respectively.

Regarding expenditure, he stated that a total of ₹32,436 crore has been proposed for 2025–26, of which revenue expenditure is ₹20,767 crore and capital outlay is ₹4,761 crore. The fiscal deficit for 2025–26 is estimated at 5.4 percent of GSDP, while the outstanding debt is estimated at 40 percent of GSDP.

For the Budget Estimates 2026–27, total receipts are estimated at ₹32,339 crore, including revenue receipts of ₹23,102 crore and capital receipts of ₹9,237 crore. The state’s own tax and non-tax receipts are estimated at ₹2,437 crore and ₹450 crore respectively.

The Chief Minister proposed a total expenditure of ₹30,356 crore for 2026–27, out of which revenue expenditure is estimated at ₹19,807 crore, while capital outlay is estimated at ₹4,716 crore.

Summing up the fiscal position for the coming year, he stated that the fiscal deficit is estimated at 2.07 percent of GSDP and the total outstanding debt is projected at 39 percent of GSDP during 2026–27.

Motion of thanks on Governor’s address

The House also took up the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address, moved by Govindas Konthoujam and seconded by Losii Dikho.

Moving the motion, Govindas Konthoujam expressed gratitude to the Governor for outlining the policies, programmes and developmental priorities of the government in the address delivered to the House on February 5, 2026.

Seconding the motion, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho said the Governor’s address reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability and inclusive development in the state and appealed to the House to extend its support to the Motion of Thanks.

Responding to suggestions and observations made by legislators including Okram Ibobi Singh and Keisham Meghachandra Singh, the Chief Minister stated that the issue of announcing free movement remains sensitive and requires careful and responsible handling.

On the issue of resettlement of internally displaced persons, he noted that displaced people living in both the valley and the hills are willing to return to their homes, but rebuilding trust between communities remains a major challenge.

He expressed optimism that mutual trust is gradually being restored and referred to recent instances of inter-community interactions as encouraging signs of improving harmony in the state.

The Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address was later adopted by the House.

Also Read: How wrestling became Nagaland’s biggest traditional sport