Outer MP Arthur calls state budget 'anti-people'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 11 2025: Outer Manipur Lok Sabha MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur launched a scathing critique of the Manipur budget, asserting that it disregards the constitutional provisions for Manipur and fails to address the suffering of its people.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, he emphasised that the budget violates Article 371C of the Constitution, which mandates that the Hill Areas Committee be consulted before finalising any financial plans for the state.

Arthur highlighted that a presidential proclamation issued on June 20, 1972, under Article 371C clearly states that financial proposals should be reviewed by the committee before being finalised, and questioned why this provision was bypassed.

Outer MP Arthur calls state budget 'anti-people'

The Congress MP expressed disappointment over complexity of the budget presentation, contrasting it with previous sessions.

"This is my second budget session in Parliament, and I have never seen such a complicated document.

Normally, it is a simple demand for grants, but this time, it has been unnecessarily convoluted," he said.

Reflecting on economic disparity between the hill areas and the valley, he warned that neglecting the constitutional safeguards would lead to further unrest.

As 95 to 98 per cent of the hills are occupied by the tribal, problems are bound to occur when disproportionate assets are created between the hills and the valley, he stated.

Arthur also criticised the government's handling of employment and livelihood schemes, particularly the MGNREGA.

He pointed out that material components from the 2023-24 budget had not been released, and funds for 2024-25 remained absent.

"How do you expect the poverty-stricken, marginalised people to work when you haven't even cleared pending payments?" he asked, accusing both the central and state governments of failing to ensure financial stability for the most vulnerable.

Raising concerns over social welfare programmes, he noted that key schemes like the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which provides pensions for widows and the elderly, had not received payments since March 2023."What is the point of these schemes when the most marginalised are left to struggle?" he questioned, adding that there was no indication in the budget that these arrears would be cleared.

He expressed outrage over the lack of developmental focus, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure.

"Manipur has the lowest per capita income in the nation.

Why has the government failed to make course corrections to improve our Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)?" he asked, and pointed out that despite Manipur's agrarian economy, there was no increase in the agriculture and horticulture budgets, leaving the hill areas economically stagnant.

Arthur criticised the government's approach to infrastructure development, alleging that projects were being implemented without proper planning.

He cited the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), saying, "Work orders are issued before land is acquired.

Are we building infrastructure for contractual businesses or for the people?" He invited the finance and transport ministers to visit his constituency to witness the dire condition of roads, comparing them to large-scale investments in highways elsewhere in the country.

Referring to the ongoing crisis in Manipur, he lambasted the government for its inaction in addressing the displacement of 60,000 people.

"Homes have been ravaged, burnt, broken.

The damages amount to Rs 20,000 crore, yet there is no reflection of this in the budget," he said.

Expressing frustration over the lack of accountability, he called out the former chief minister, alleging that he was responsible for the crisis.

"Is he behind bars? The whole world has seen him on tape, admitting to his role.

Yet, no inquiry has been initiated," he remarked.

Arthur questioned the central leadership, saying that while he initially placed his faith in the Prime Minister and home minister, his confidence was now "diminishing by the day".

He urged the government to uphold constitutional provisions, warning that neglecting Manipur's concerns tantamount to disregarding the rule of law.

"If you do not want to build my state, then you have no right to govern it," he declared.

The first-time MP also urged the finance minister to revise the budget to ensure transparency and inclusion.

"The budget must clearly show the allocations for the hills and the valley.

Without this, how can we know where the funds are going?" he asked.

Calling for immediate rectifications, he warned that continuing to ignore the grievances of Manipur would only deepen the crisis.

"I wish and hope that this House, together, can solve this issue.

But if my repeated appeals continue to go unheard, I might as well relinquish my seat and not return," he said, expressing his deep frustration.

"We are not a small people.

We are equal in every way.

If the government truly believes in democracy,, it must listen and act," he asserted.