Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand on Monday announced a new Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Women through Self Help Groups (SHGs) that is expected to benefit around 3.5 lakh women across Manipur.

The announcement was made while presenting the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2026-27 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 promote financial independence among women in the State. Under the programme, financial assistance will be provided to beneficiaries over a period of three years. In the first year, each woman beneficiary will receive ₹10,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). A total amount of ₹350 crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the Budget.
Earlier in the House, the Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly informed members about the President’s assent to a Bill. The Chief Minister also presented the Tenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2026, and moved a motion seeking the House’s approval regarding the allocation of time proposed by the Committee. He further presented the Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2025-26.

Highlighting key aspects of the Budget, the Chief Minister said that with the improvement in the law and order situation in the State, notable progress has been achieved across various sectors. He thanked the people of Manipur for maintaining peace and acknowledged 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, marking 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 State’s rehabilitation efforts while ensuring that development spending is not affected by rising revenue expenditure.

The Centre, he added, has also assured continued support to Manipur in the financial year 2026-27 as the State moves towards peace and economic recovery.

The Chief Minister said the Government remains committed to enhancing revenue generation and rationalising expenditure while ensuring that capital expenditure for development is not adversely affected. As part of efforts to strengthen public financial management, the State has also introduced the SNA-SPARSH mode of fund release mechanism for Centrally Sponsored Schemes to ensure efficient and timely utilisation of funds.

He further said that the Government’s primary concern remains the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs.

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 repairing partially damaged houses. An amount of ₹734 crore has been provided in the Budget for rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons in 2026-27.

On infrastructure, the Chief Minister emphasised that strengthening connectivity continues to be a major priority. Apart from road expansion and upgradation, funds have been allocated for maintenance of existing roads. A total of ₹914 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimates for 2026-27 to supplement resources under MoRTH, the NESIDS scheme of DoNER, and SASCI for the road sector.

He also informed the House 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.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Central Finance Commission transfers account for over 40 percent of the State’s total revenue receipts, making the Commission’s award crucial for Manipur. He noted that 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, he said the Government will continue initiatives to accelerate growth, generate employment opportunities for youth, and improve the quality of life of citizens. 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, the Chief Minister stated that total receipts are estimated at ₹32,366 crore, including 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.
Total expenditure for 2025-26 is proposed at ₹32,436 crore, comprising ₹20,767 crore in revenue expenditure and ₹4,761 crore as capital outlay. The fiscal deficit is estimated at 5.4 percent of GSDP, while outstanding debt is projected at 40 percent of GSDP.

For 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. Total expenditure is proposed at ₹30,356 crore, including ₹19,807 crore in revenue expenditure and ₹4,716 crore as capital outlay.

The fiscal deficit for 2026-27 is estimated at 2.07 percent of GSDP, while total outstanding debt is projected at 39 percent of GSDP.
During the sitting, the House also took up the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address, which was moved by Home Affairs, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho.

Moving the motion, Govindas Singh expressed gratitude to the Governor for outlining the Government’s policies, programmes and developmental priorities in the address delivered on February 5, 2026. Seconding the motion, Losii Dikho said the address reflected the Government’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability and inclusive development in the State.

Responding to suggestions and observations raised by MLAs Okram Ibobi Singh and Keisham Meghachandra Singh, the Chief Minister said the issue of announcing free movement remains sensitive and requires careful handling.

On the resettlement of IDPs, he stated that displaced persons in both the valley and hill areas are willing to return to their homes, but rebuilding trust between communities remains a major challenge. However, he expressed optimism that mutual trust is gradually being restored and cited recent instances of inter-community interactions as encouraging signs of improving harmony in the State.