In RS, Sitharaman reminds Cong of past failures in Manipur

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while replying to the debate on Manipur’s budget in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, criticised the Congress for failing to bring prosperity to the state during its tenure.

Sitharaman said, "Manipur is a border state that has seen recurring turmoil. Every time it recovers, it faces another setback. Every government has handled it with sensitivity, and pointing fingers won’t help."

Referring to past conflicts, she recalled the ethnic violence of the early 1990s when the Congress was in power, stating, “In the 1990s, under the double engine Congress government, many people died. Then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and his Home Minister did not visit the state.”

She also mentioned the 1993 clashes between Kukis and Nagas, in which 750 people were killed and 350 villages were burnt down.

Citing the Congress government’s tenure in Manipur, Sitharaman said, “Between 2002-2027 Manipur witnessed 628 bandhs and multiple blockades, leading to a loss of Rs 2,828 crore to the exchequer. Petrol price hit Rs 200 per litre and LPG cylinders cost Rs 2,000.”

Responding to opposition criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur after recent ethnic violence, Sitharaman emphasised that Union Home Minister Amit Shah spent 4 days there and the Minister of State for Home Affairs was in the state for over 23 days.

She also announced several financial measures for Manipur, including a ₹500 crore contingency fund for emergencies. A total of ₹913 crore under the Special Assistance for State Capital Investment Fund. As many as ₹400 crore for relief camp operations. Approval of 7,000 houses under the PM Awas Yojana for displaced families.

Sitharaman said that while most States have a contingency fund that helps them meet emergent situations, Manipur did not have.

“We have created this fund for Manipur with Rs 500 crore,” she added.

The Finance Minister said that she was disappointed that the MPs did not focus on the Manipur Budget in their discussion.

"So, please don't compare how you (Congress) handled Manipur and how this government is handling Manipur. We have greater sensitivity, we care for Manipur and every state of this country," the minister said.

Additionally, 286 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, 127 Army and Assam Rifles columns, along with state police, have been deployed to maintain peace.