Centre tells Lok Sabha Rs 2,400 crore has been earmarked for Manipur under the Pride of Hills window of SASCI for 2026-27 amid the state’s crisis.
Imphal, August 10: The Centre has earmarked Rs 2,400 crore for Manipur under a special financial window for hill states for 2026-27, the Ministry of Finance informed the Lok Sabha on Monday in response to a question raised by Inner Manipur MP Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
The Lok Sabha unstarred question sought details of any special financial package for Manipur in view of the prolonged humanitarian and economic crisis in the state, including requirements for internally displaced persons (IDPs), livelihood restoration, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and economic revival.
Responding to the question, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that the government had approved an additional allocation of Rs 700 crore for 105 projects in Manipur under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure/Investment (SASCI) scheme during 2025-26.
Of this additional allocation, Rs 310.66 crore was released to the state as the first instalment. The Ministry said no proposal had been received from the Manipur government for release of the second instalment of the additional allocation.
Rs 22,400 crore earmarked under 'Pride of Hills'
The Ministry said the SASCI scheme has been continued in 2026-27 with an overall allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore.
A special window, Part-X, titled "Pride of Hills", has been introduced under the scheme for the current financial year, with Rs 25,000 crore allocated to address the special needs of hill states.
According to the Finance Ministry, funds under this component can be used not only for capital expenditure but also for essential revenue expenditure.
"Accordingly, an amount of Rs 2,400 crore has been earmarked for Manipur under this component," the ministry stated.
The allocation is in addition to funds available to Manipur under the Untied Part (Part-I) and other components of SASCI 2026-27.
Rs 3,869.74 crore released since 2020-21
The Finance Ministry also provided year-wise details of funds released to Manipur under SASCI.
The state received Rs 317.16 crore in 2020-21, followed by Rs 212.85 crore in 2021-22 and Rs 467.22 crore in 2022-23. Releases increased to Rs 542.70 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 1,436.82 crore in 2024-25.
In 2025-26, Manipur received Rs 871.55 crore, including the Rs 310.66 crore released as the first instalment of the additional allocation.
For 2026-27, Rs 21.44 crore had been released as of August 5, 2026.
The total amount released to Manipur under SASCI from 2020-21 to August 5, 2026, stood at Rs 3,869.74 crore.
The details of amount released to the State of Manipur under SASCI from FY 2020-21 to FY 2026-27 are as follows:
(Rs. in crore)
|
Financial Year |
Amount Released |
|
2020-21 |
317.16 |
|
2021-22 |
212.85 |
|
2022-23 |
467.22 |
|
2023-24 |
542.70 |
|
2024-25 |
1436.82 |
|
2025-26 |
871.55* |
|
2026-27 (as on 05.08.2026) |
21.44 |
|
Total |
3869.74 |
*The amount includes Rs. 310.66 crore released to the State as 1 installment of additional allocation under the SASCI 2025-26
Finance Ministry cites broader central assistance
The Union government also stated that Manipur receives financial resources through several other channels, including Finance Commission-recommended grants, Central Sector Schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Additional Central Assistance for Externally Aided Projects.
On the question of assessing the financial requirements of states, the Ministry said the Finance Commission evaluates the financial condition of states every five years. It also recommends the devolution of central taxes and duties, grants to states and the inter-se share of individual states.
The Ministry noted that tax devolution to states was increased from 32% during the 13th Finance Commission period to 42% during the 14th Finance Commission period. The 15th Finance Commission maintained the same level after adjusting 1% for Jammu and Kashmir.
The 16th Finance Commission has continued the 41% devolution, effectively maintaining the level recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
MP Bimol Akoijam had sought the Centre's response specifically on whether a special financial package had been formulated or proposed for Manipur and whether an assessment had been undertaken of the funds required for rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, reconstruction and economic recovery.
The government's reply outlined the existing financial assistance mechanisms and the Rs 2,400 crore earmarked for Manipur under the "Pride of Hills" component of SASCI for 2026-27.
