₹8,927 Crore Unspent in Manipur in 2024-25, Congress Cites CAG Report

Manipur Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh on Saturday flagged large-scale under-utilisation of the state budget and rising debt, citing figures from the CAG State Finances Audit Report for 2024-25.

Addressing a press conference here, Singh said the report raised concerns over financial planning and budget execution, particularly at a time when the state is facing an unprecedented crisis and requires greater spending on development, rehabilitation and essential services.

According to figures cited by Singh, ₹8,927.55 crore remained unspent against the total budget provision of ₹37,392.66 crore during 2024-25, amounting to an overall under-utilisation of 23.88 per cent.

He also highlighted the gap in capital expenditure. Against a capital budget of ₹8,989.6 crore, actual expenditure stood at ₹2,704.23 crore, leaving around ₹6,285 crore unspent. Singh said the shortfall raised questions over the implementation of infrastructure and development projects.

Singh further pointed to central grants-in-aid, saying ₹16,015.85 crore had been budgeted, while actual receipts stood at ₹5,473.21 crore. He sought an explanation for the gap and the non-receipt or non-utilisation of central assistance.

On borrowings, Singh said Manipur raised ₹11,599.08 crore in gross borrowings during 2024-25, of which ₹9,420.41 crore, or 81.22 per cent, was used to repay earlier principal.

He said the state's gross debt and other obligations rose to ₹20,846.88 crore at the end of 2024-25 from ₹18,871.79 crore a year earlier. Interest payments also increased to ₹1,022.23 crore, he said.

Describing the CAG as the constitutional auditor of public money, Singh said its findings pointed to under-utilisation, weak capital expenditure and financial planning concerns.

He questioned the financial sustainability of the state under the BJP government and sought a clear plan to manage rising debt and liabilities.