Government pledges to restore stability in Manipur

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated on Tuesday that the Indian government is dedicated to restoring normalcy in the troubled northeastern state of Manipur. She emphasized that the Centre will support the state's economic growth. During discussions in the Rajya Sabha about the state budget and four money bills, Sitharaman noted the government's proposals for a new ₹500-crore contingency fund for Manipur. This fund aims to address emerging challenges in the state, which has faced ongoing crises for several decades. Sitharaman responded to criticism from the Opposition regarding the government's handling of the situation in Manipur. She pointed out that past Congress-led governments also struggled during periods of unrest and asserted that cooperation, rather than blame, is needed to improve the situation. The finance minister also commented on economic inequality in India. She mentioned that measures like the Gini coefficient show a decline in consumption inequality in both rural and urban areas. Sitharaman claimed that extreme poverty has been eliminated under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. Addressing concerns about the Make in India initiative, she defended its success. Sitharaman highlighted the scheme's impact on attracting investments and creating job opportunities, particularly in manufacturing. She criticized previous governments for their delayed efforts to enhance India's manufacturing sector.