Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday, 25 September 2026, announced that a special financial assistance scheme for women street vendors in the state would be launched before the Ningol Chakouba 2026 festival, aimed at helping them meet their families' daily needs. The announcement came during the Chief Minister's address at the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan event held at the Indian National Army (INA) Martyr's Memorial Complex Hall in Moirang, Bishnupur district.

Scheme Details and Registration

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh stated that women street vendors who have not yet registered themselves may do so through their respective Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The scheme is intended to provide targeted economic relief ahead of the Ningol Chakouba festival — a traditional Meitei community celebration in Manipur that honours and strengthens the bond of love between married women and their paternal families.

Separately, the Chief Minister also announced that the state government has decided to extend financial assistance of ₹10,000 each to approximately 3,00,050 families severely affected by the ongoing ethnic crisis, following deliberations during the recently concluded eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly. He confirmed that the necessary budgetary provision has been earmarked for the implementation of this assistance.

Economic Toll of the Ethnic Crisis

Khemchand Singh acknowledged that the unprecedented ethnic crisis that has gripped Manipur since 2023 has had a severe impact on the state's economy. He noted that frequent shutdowns and blockades have resulted in a loss of approximately ₹25 to ₹30 crore per day in tax revenue to the state government, significantly eroding Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections. The crisis, he stressed, has disproportionately burdened families dependent on daily wages.

Notably, the Chief Minister appealed to all communities to settle differences through dialogue rather than agitations, warning that shutdowns and blockades continue to disrupt normal daily life. He also recalled the tragic incident at Tronglaobi, which claimed the lives of two innocent minor children shortly after his visit to Jiribam district, attributing it to vested interests working against peace restoration.

Signs of Recovery and Renewed Connectivity

Offering a cautiously optimistic assessment, Khemchand Singh said the trust deficit among different communities in Jiribam district has been substantially bridged, with communities now reportedly living together in peace. He also confirmed that public transport services along National Highway-2 — connecting Imphal with Guwahati (Assam) via Dimapur (Nagaland) — have been resumed and are being actively used by the public.

Appeal for Unity Across Communities

The Chief Minister used the occasion to stress that Manipur is home to 36 different communities, all of whom have historically safeguarded the state's territorial integrity. He urged all sections of society to set aside differences and work together in the state's larger interest. He also made a pointed remark that advocates for Manipur who are unwilling to engage with hill communities should not be followed solely on the basis of their words.

During the programme, Khemchand Singh distributed scheme benefits to eligible beneficiaries from Bishnupur district across various departments, and interacted with more than 25 service counters and stalls showcasing government schemes and services. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is a month-long nationwide campaign to mark 25 years of public service of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state's ability to implement these schemes at scale will depend heavily on whether lasting peace takes hold in the months ahead.