FM, Gogoi spar over remarks targeting PM

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress lawmaker Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday sparred in the Lok Sabha over the latter's remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

- Rajeev Jayaswal

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Manipur budget for 2025-26 that proposed an expenditure of ₹35,104 crore, up from ₹34,899 crore envisaged in the budget estimate (BE) of 2024-25 and ₹32,657 crore under the revised estimate (RE) for FY25, even as Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said all financial support will be provided to the state for economic development.

Replying to the discussion on the Manipur budget, which she tabled in the Lower House a day ago, Sitharaman emphasised that the overall law and order situation has improved in the ethnic strife-torn state, which is currently under the central rule, except for some sporadic incidents.

The Centre imposed the President's rule in Manipur and placed the state assembly under suspended animation on February 13, days after chief minister N Biren Singh resigned from the post. Consequent to the proclamation issued under Article 356 of the Constitution, the powers of the Manipur legislature are exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. "...with the collective effort of both the Centre and state government, there has been an improvement in overall law and order situation in the state, to a large extent, except for some sporadic (incidents),". she said.