Imphal, March 9 (NationPress) Manipur's Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, unveiled a groundbreaking scheme during the state Budget presentation for the fiscal year 2026-27. This initiative aims to foster the economic empowerment of women through Self Help Groups (SHGs), with an anticipated impact on approximately 3.5 lakh women throughout the state.

While addressing the Assembly in the seventh session, the Chief Minister emphasized that this new initiative is designed to fortify women-led SHGs and promote financial autonomy among the female populace in Manipur. The scheme will offer financial support to women beneficiaries over a span of three years.

In the initial year, each recipient will obtain Rs 10,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The 2026-27 Budget has allocated a substantial Rs 350 crore for this purpose, stated Singh, who also serves as the finance minister.

Additionally, the Chief Minister presented the Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2025-26.

He highlighted that with improvements in law and order, notable advancements have been achieved across various fields.

Singh expressed gratitude to the citizens of Manipur for maintaining peace and acknowledged the unwavering support from the Government of India in reinstating normalcy.

The Chief Minister informed the House that the state's own revenue collection is on a steady upward trajectory, increasing from Rs 2,087 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 2,887 crore in 2026-27, marking an impressive growth of over 38 percent in just two years.

Furthermore, during the current fiscal year, the Government of India granted a special package of Rs 2,198 crore to assist Manipur in settling high-interest loans, addressing security-related expenses, and aiding the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Singh remarked that the Centre's assistance has bolstered rehabilitation initiatives while ensuring that developmental spending remains unaffected by increasing revenue expenditures. He assured that the Centre would continue its support for Manipur in the 2026-27 financial year as the state progresses towards peace and economic revival.

The government is dedicated to enhancing revenue generation and optimizing expenditures while ensuring that capital investments for development are prioritized. As part of an initiative by the Union government to refine public financial management, the state has implemented the SNA-SPARSH fund release mechanism for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) to guarantee effective and prompt utilization of funds.

The Chief Minister stressed that accelerating the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs is a primary focus for the government. He noted that considerable aid from the Centre has been allocated for constructing permanent homes, compensating for the loss of personal property, and assisting with the repair of partially damaged houses.

An allocation of Rs 734 crore has been designated in the 2026-27 Budget for the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs.

Enhancing connectivity remains a significant objective for the government, which includes both the expansion and upgrading of roadways. For these efforts, Rs 914 crore has been earmarked in the 2026-27 Budget Estimates, supplementing resources from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), and the SASCI program for road sector improvements.

The Chief Minister also indicated that the government intends to resolve all outstanding retirement benefits for employees within the current year, with necessary provisions made in the Revised Estimates for 2025-26. He noted that transfers from the Centre’s Finance Commission contribute to over 40 percent of the state’s total revenue receipts, making the Commission’s award crucial for Manipur.

Singh pointed out that the 16th Finance Commission report, covering the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31, was presented in Parliament on February 1, 2026, and the state Budget has factored in the tax transfers and grants allocated to Manipur for the upcoming financial year.

The government is determined to continue initiatives across sectors to boost growth, create job opportunities—especially for the youth—and enhance the quality of life for its citizens. For the fiscal year 2026-27, the government has prioritized connectivity, skill development, women entrepreneurship, tourism promotion, drinking water supply, irrigation systems, and urban and district headquarters infrastructure development.

While presenting the Revised Estimates for 2025-26, the Chief Minister noted that total receipts are projected at Rs 32,366 crore, which includes revenue receipts of Rs 22,835 crore and capital receipts of Rs 9,237 crore. The state’s own tax and non-tax revenues are anticipated at Rs 1,934 crore and Rs 450 crore, respectively.

Total expenditure for 2025-26 is proposed at Rs 32,436 crore, encompassing revenue expenditure of Rs 20,767 crore and a capital outlay of Rs 4,761 crore. The fiscal deficit is estimated to be 5.4 percent of GSDP, with outstanding debt projected at 40 percent of GSDP.