MCCI, AMEA, BEG petition Governor on NH extortion, high airfare
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 14 2025: Members of the Confederation of Manipur Trade Commerce and Industry (MCCI, AMEA & BEG) called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Monday and submitted a memorandum seeking his attention and necessary action on several pressing issues affecting the people of Manipur.

The memorandum highlighted the continued extortion by various insurgent groups along the two lifelines of the state, the National Highways Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Silchar.

These highways are crucial for the people living in the valley of the state, a place of multi-ethnic communities.

The extortion, which has persisted for decades, imposes a significant burden on all sections of the population.

The memorandum revealed that approximately Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 per kg of goods transported along these routes is extorted, amounting to an estimated annual loss of around Rs 648 crore with an average of 300 trucks plying daily on these highways.

The memorandum pointed out that this is one of the factors contributing to the state's inflation rate of more than 10 per cent, the highest in the country.

The memorandum also addressed the exorbitant airfare on flights operating from Imphal Airport.

Of the 17 flights operating daily, sectors such as Guwahati, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and New Delhi were identified as particularly busy.

During the festive season, airfares skyrocket to as high as Rs 26,000 for a New Delhi-Imphal flight and Rs 15,000 for a Guwahati-Imphal flight, despite the short journey of 35-40 minutes.

The memorandum emphasised that flying is no longer a luxury but a necessity due to the ongoing violence since May 3, 2023, which has rendered surface transport unsafe for the Meetei community.

With an average of 170 passengers per flight and an average fare of Rs 5,000, the total monthly cost of air travel amounts to approximately Rs 55.08 crore and Rs 660.96 crore annually.

The figure would be significantly higher during festive seasons.

The Confederation urged a solution to the skyrocketing airfare to alleviate the burden on common commuters.

Additionally, the memorandum expressed concern over the acute decline in the state's market, where most MSMEs are operating at only 40 per cent to 50 per cent of their capacity, resulting in significant job losses.

The members also pointed out that forceful donations from business houses, often accompanied by life-threatening situations, have become alarmingly common.

To address these challenges, the memorandum called for a financial package for MSMEs, including tax exemptions for a certain period, interest waivers on loans, and loan waivers for specific cases such as start-ups and MSMEs.

It also urged the provision of liberal soft loans to help recover losses.

The Confederation stated that a request for income tax exemption had already been submitted to the Prime Minister and finance minister, with a photocopy of the letter attached to the memorandum.

The Confederation further urged the establishment of a well-equipped Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute in the state.

It also proposed the inclusion of hand-holding exercises with leading industries across the country to develop skilled manpower and enhance human capital in Manipur.

The members emphasised that these measures are vital for the economic recovery and sustainability of the state and sought the Governor's intervention to address these pressing issues.

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