Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on October 29. He pressed the central government for more cash. The state is broke. Singh visited Kartavya Bhawan to outline the grim fiscal reality facing Manipur after suffering significant revenue losses over the past three years.
The Chief Minister specifically asked for additional funding through the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. He told Sitharaman that the state government is working to tighten its belt. He boasted that his administration pays employee salaries and pensions on the first working day of every month without fail.
The two leaders reviewed the status of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Externally Aided Projects. They also examined various ongoing developmental work across the state. Sitharaman promised to help. According to an official statement, the Finance Minister responded positively to the requests and "assured the chief minister that the Centre would extend all possible assistance to improve Manipur’s financial health."
The meeting concluded with a exchange of gifts. Khemchand Singh gave the Union Minister a traditional lengyan and a painting of Radha and Krishna.
Comments