Imphal, March 18: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated on Wednesday that peace, stability, and development are deeply interconnected. He emphasized that “sustainable peace is not possible without development.”
During a seminar on “Credit-Led Development in Manipur,” he launched the ‘State Focus Paper 2026-27,’ highlighting that inclusive development is the true foundation of stability. He remarked, “Inclusive growth is the fundamental principle on which we will move forward.”
This paper was released during the State Credit Seminar 2026 held in Imphal, organized by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) regional office in Manipur.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also virtually inaugurated the ‘Tribes Project’ in Churachandpur district.
He stressed the importance of financial assistance in development, stating that institutional credit is crucial for grassroots development. “Credit is not just a financial tool; it is a powerful means of development,” he added.
He noted that the credit projections prepared by NABARD will play a significant role in bridging the development gap in the state.
Discussing Manipur’s economic potential, the Chief Minister identified horticulture, fisheries, handloom, and handicrafts as key areas for rural development. He urged banks and financial institutions to actively support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), rural startups, agricultural entrepreneurs, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Reiterating the state government’s commitment, he stated that efforts will be made to enhance credit utilization capacity and ensure effective project implementation in collaboration with financial institutions.
During the seminar, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goyal mentioned that this seminar serves as a platform for coordination among the government, NABARD, banks, and community organizations to mobilize resources for inclusive development.
He revealed that the ‘State Focus Paper’ estimates a credit potential of approximately ₹35 billion for the year 2026-27, with 51% allocated for agriculture and allied sectors, 37% for the MSME sector, and 12% for other priority areas.
Goyal explained that these figures reflect the state’s development priorities and the changing landscape of the rural economy. He also noted that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood, but diversification and value addition are essential due to challenges like small landholdings and climate risks.
NABARD Manipur General Manager Partha Mandal described the ‘State Focus Paper’ as a “master document” for planning and credit monitoring for the upcoming financial year.
He mentioned that this document is based on potential-linked plans for all 16 districts of Manipur.
Mandal also highlighted the Tribal Development Project initiated in Churachandpur, which is being implemented with a grant assistance of ₹16 million from NABARD, aimed at improving the living standards and livelihoods of tribal communities in hilly areas.
The seminar was attended by officials from the Reserve Bank of India, including N. Shridhar, along with representatives from various banks, financial institutions, self-help groups, and government departments.
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