Manipur has already received Rs 250 crore for hailstorms and floods, says CM N Biren Singh

Amidst opposition accusations that Manipur has been neglected in the Union Budget, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has firmly rebutted the claims. Addressing the concerns, Singh stated, "It's their petty politics. Manipur has already received not less than Rs 250 crore for hailstorms and floods, and we have already distributed it to the people."

The opposition's criticism focused on the perceived lack of financial allocation for Manipur in the recent budget. However, Singh said that substantial funds have already been allocated and effectively utilized to address natural disaster impacts.

The controversy escalated earlier on July 23 when Lok Sabha MP Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam condemned the Union Budget 2024 for allegedly neglecting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Manipur. Dr. Akoijam criticized the budget for its failure to include flood relief or a rehabilitation package for IDPs, exclaiming, “Absence thy name is Manipur—that’s what this budget says! There is no mention of flood relief or a rehabilitation package for IDPs in our state.”

While the budget did allocate funds for flood and irrigation issues in other states such as Bihar, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim, it did not address the severe flooding or the IDP crisis in Manipur. 

Even Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claiming they lack an understanding of the complexities and aspirations of the northeastern region.