Photo Courtesy: nenews
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh recently met with NITI Aayog officials in New Delhi to request support for the state's economic recovery and long-term stability. During the discussions, he argued that fostering development is the most effective way to address the insurgency and social unrest currently affecting Manipur.
Highlighting the Prime Minister's vision for the Northeast, Khemchand emphasized the need for significant investments in connectivity. He called for the expedited completion of major infrastructure projects, including the railway connection to Imphal, highway expansions, and the Imphal Ring Road. He noted that Manipur acts as a gateway to Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy, but cross-border instability has caused implementation delays.
To mitigate these challenges, the Chief Minister proposed the creation of a specialized unit to protect logistics infrastructure. "Development remains the most effective means of addressing insurgency and unrest in the state," Khemchand stated, while advocating for a new regional coordination cell to better synchronize security and trade policies across northeastern states.
Financial concerns were also a primary focus, as the state relies on central grants for 90 percent of its revenue. Khemchand requested a terrain-weighted funding model to account for the region's difficult geography, suggesting a fiscal premium for infrastructure projects. He also sought assistance in upgrading local medical institutions like RIMS and JNIMS to transform Manipur into a medical tourism hub for patients from Southeast Asia.
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