Economic Empowerment Scheme for 3.5 Lakh Women through SHGs announced in Manipur Budget
Source: Directorate of Information and Public Relations DIPR *

Imphal, March 09 2026: The Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Women through Self Help Groups (SHGs), which will benefit about 3.5 lakh women across the State, was announced by the Leader of the House, Chief Minister, Y Khemchand Singh, while presenting the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2026-27 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

Presenting the Budget during the ongoing 7th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that the scheme aims to strengthen women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and enhance financial independence among women across the State.

Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided to women beneficiaries over a period of three years, and Rs 10,000 will be provided to each woman beneficiary in the first year through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) .

An amount of Rs.350 crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the Budget, he added.

Earlier in the House, the Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly intimated the House on the President's assent to Bill.

The Chief Minister then presented the Tenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2026, and moved a motion seeking the approval of the House regarding the allocation of time proposed by the Committee.

The Chief Minister also presented the Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2025-26 before the House.

Highlighting the key aspects of the Budget, Shri Y.Khemchand Singh stated that with the improvement in the law and order situation in the State, considerable progress has been achieved in various sectors.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Manipur for maintaining peace and appreciated the continued support of the Government of India in restoring normalcy in the State.

He further informed the House that the State's own revenue collection is witnessing steady growth, increasing from Rs.2,087 crore in 2024-25 to Rs.2,887 crore in 2026-27, reflecting 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 amounting to Rs.2,198 crore to assist the State in pre-payment of high interest-bearing loans, meeting security-related expenditure, charges for Central Paramilitary Force deployment, and supporting the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) .

The Chief Minister noted that the assistance from the Centre has not only strengthened the rehabilitation efforts of the State Government but has also ensured that development spending is not constrained by increasing revenue expenditure.

He added that the Central Government has assured continued support to Manipur in the financial year 2026-27 as the State continues on the path of peace and economic recovery.

He further stated that 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 the Union Government's initiative to strengthen public financial management, the State has also introduced the SNA-SPARSH mode of fund release mechanism for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) to ensure efficient and timely utilisation of funds.

Highlighting the Government's priority areas, the Chief Minister stated that the primary concern of the Government is to expedite the rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) .

He informed that the Government of India has extended considerable support towards construction of permanent houses, compensation for loss of personal belongings and movable assets, and assistance for renovation and repair of partially damaged houses of the displaced persons.

He added that an amount of Rs.734 crore has been provided in the Budget for the rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs during the financial year 2026-27 .

The Chief Minister also emphasised that strengthening connectivity remains a key priority of the Government.

Apart from expansion and upgradation of roads, adequate funding has been provided for the maintenance of existing roads.

For this purpose, an amount of Rs 914 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimates for 2026-27, which will supplement resources under MoRTH funding, NESIDS scheme of DoNER and SASCI for the road sector.

He further stated 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 more than 40 percent of the State's total revenue receipts, making the Commission's award critically important 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 during the ensuing fiscal year 2026-27 .

He further informed that the Government will continue to undertake initiatives across sectors to accelerate growth, create employment opportunities particularly for the youth, and improve the quality of life of the people.

For the financial year 2026-27, 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 informed that the total receipts are estimated at Rs.32,366 crore, comprising revenue receipts of Rs.22,835 crore and capital receipts of Rs.9,237 crore.

The State's own tax and non-tax receipts are estimated at Rs.1,934 crore and Rs.450 crore respectively, he added.

Regarding expenditure, he stated that a total of Rs.32,436 crore has been proposed for 2025-26, of which Revenue Expenditure is Rs.20,767 crore and Capital Outlay is Rs.4,761 crore.

The fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is estimated at 5.4 percent of GSDP, while the outstanding debt is estimated at 40 percent of GSDP .

For the Budget Estimates 2026-27, the Chief Minister stated that the total receipts are estimated at Rs.32,339 crore, including revenue receipts of Rs.23,102 crore and capital receipts of Rs.9,237 crore.

The State's own tax and non-tax receipts are estimated at Rs.2,437 crore and Rs.450 crore respectively.

He proposed a total expenditure of Rs.30,356 crore for 2026-27, out of which Revenue Expenditure is estimated at Rs.19,807 crore, while Capital Outlay is estimated at Rs.4,716 crore.

Summing up the likely fiscal position during the ensuing year, the Chief Minister stated that the fiscal deficit is estimated at 2.07 percent of GSDP, and the total outstanding debt is projected at 39 percent of GSDP during 2026-27 .

On the discussion on Governor's Address, the House today took up the Motion of Thanks moved by Shri Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Home Affairs, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister and seconded by Shri Losii Dikho, Deputy Chief Minister, PHED and Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department.

Moving the motion, Shri Konthoujam Govindas Singh expressed gratitude to the Governor for the address delivered to the House on February 5, 2026, stating that the Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly are deeply thankful for outlining the policies, programmes and developmental priorities of the Government in various department sectors.

Seconding the motion, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho stated that the Governor's Address reflected the commitment of the Government towards ensuring peace, stability and inclusive development in the State.

He observed that the various initiatives and programmes outlined by the Government would significantly contribute towards strengthening peace and fostering overall development in Manipur.

He further appealed to the August House to extend its wholehearted support to the Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address.

Following the motion, Leader of the House and Chief Minister Y.Khemchand Singh, while responding to the suggestions and observations made by Okram Ibobi Singh and Keisham Meghachandra Singh, members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, stated that the issue of announcing free movement remains sensitive in nature and therefore requires careful and responsible handling.

Responding to concerns regarding the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Shri Y.Khemchand Singh stated that displaced persons residing both in the valley and the hills are willing to return to their homes.

However, he observed that rebuilding trust between the communities remains a major challenge.

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.

The Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address was later adopted by the House.

* Contact DIPR Manipur at diprmanipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com .

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