State shines in social pillar, trails in infra metric
Source: Chronicle News Service / Keicha Chingthou Mangang

Imphal, May 04 2025: Manipur continues to show uneven development across key sectors, ranking 10th among 11 north eastern and smaller states in the second edition of the CareEdge State Ranking Report 2025 .

The state received a composite score of 38.7, lagging far behind group leader Goa, which scored 62.1, and trailing fellow north eastern states as well as Uttarakhand and Sikkim, which posted scores of 48.2 and 47.2 respectively.

The report evaluated 28 states across seven critical pillars-economic, fiscal, financial inclusion & development, infrastructure, social, governance, and environment - offering a composite view of each state's development trajectory.

Among larger states, Maharashtra topped the chart with a score of 56.5, followed by Gujarat at 52.4 and Karnataka at 51.9 .

Manipur's strongest performance came in the social pillar, scoring 75.6, thanks to high literacy and human development indicators.

The state reports a literacy rate of 76.95 per cent above the national average.

It also boasts one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the country, at just 6 per 1,000 live births.

In the fiscal pillar, the state scored a moderate 54.3, supported by stable capital outlay and sound debt management practices.

The state has projected a revenue surplus of 14.2 per cent of its Gross State Domestic Product (OSDP) for 2024-25.Despite this, concerns remain over rising public debt, which has climbed from 24.51 per cent of GSDP in 2018-19 to 30.65 per cent in 2022-23, The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has cautioned that debt stabilisation might not be feasible in the near term.

The state fared better in the environment pillar with a score of 42,7, driven by its considerable forest cover and initiatives like the Rs 650 crore Lamphelpat Water Body Rejuvenation Project.

However, persistent air pollution and gaps in potable water access continue to hamper environmental progress.

Economically, Manipur scored 40.4, dragged down by limited industrial diversification and modest per-capita GSDP .

Although the economy was projected to grow at 9.6 per cent in 2024-25 and has seen an 18 per cent increase in its own resources-including State GST-over the past year, the manufacturing sector remains weak, underscoring the need for broad-based economic reform.

Policy experts suggested that development in handloom, horticulture and eco-tourism could be critical for long-term growth.

In terms of governance, the state scored 38.8, reflecting persistent administrative inefficiencies.

Indicators such as ease of doing business and law and order continue to place the state at the bottom of its group.

There is a need for better e-governance systems, stronger police-community relations and improved grievance redressal mechanisms to climb up the ladder.

Infrastructure remains one of the weakest links in the state's development, with Manipur receiving just 19.7 in this pillar.

Despite major ongoing projects such as the Imphal Ring Road, issues like low power availability, poor road and rail connectivity, and understaffed community health centres persist, particularly in remote areas.

The state scored just 8.0 in the financial inclusion and development pillar, the lowest among all states.

While programs for extending financial assistance to startups and entrepreneurs are taken with the objective to expand credit access for underserved communities, banking penetration, credit disbursement and insurance coverage remain sparse - especially in rural and hill districts.

Policy analysts believe that the state must urgently focus on expanding financial access through mobile banking and micro-insurance schemes, investing in critical infrastructure such as all-weather roads, and diversifying its economy beyond agriculture and government employment.

Environmental initiatives and stronger governance frameworks are also seen as crucial to translating the state's social and fiscal advantages into broader development gains.

According to an economist pursuing PhD, Manipur's strong social and fiscal foundations provide a platform, but unlocking its full potential requires coordinated action across infrastructure, governance and financial inclusion.

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