Guwahati, March 11: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, during the Lok Sabha discussion on the 2025-26 Manipur Budget, sharply criticized the government over its handling of the Manipur crisis and broader economic mismanagement. He questioned the lack of political will in addressing the unrest in Manipur, the weakening economy, and the failures in trade, taxation, and defence policies.
Gogoi pointed out that while the Finance Minister proposed a ₹35,103.90 crore budget for Manipur, including ₹9,520 crore for the social sector, the state remains in turmoil nearly 21 months after the Prime Minister’s assurances of peace. He raised constitutional concerns over the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, questioning the status of the Manipur Vidhan Sabha and the absence of both the Prime Minister and Home Minister from the conflict-hit region. He insisted that military deployment alone would not restore peace and called for genuine dialogue with stakeholders.
On economic concerns, Gogoi scrutinized the government’s Supplementary Demand for Grants, highlighting the additional ₹51,462.86 crore expenditure, including significant allocations for defence pensions, communications, and agriculture. He accused the government of mismanaging deficits while pushing an economic narrative that does not align with reality.
He also raised concerns over tariff policies, questioning the first phase of tariff waivers set for September 2025 and whether India would counter former U.S. President Donald Trump’s characterization of India as a “tariff king.” He called for a transparent trade policy to protect India’s manufacturing sector.
Gogoi further criticized the failure of the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme, which has increased government liabilities by 930% due to reckless borrowing. He noted that the scheme’s intended objectives—reducing gold imports and controlling the current account deficit—had failed, leading to import duty cuts and the suspension of new issuances.
Turning to taxation, he called the GST regime chaotic, with nearly 100 tax rates and excessive cesses. He demanded lower taxes on essential items like school books, stationery, and uniforms while condemning GST on temples. He also raised privacy concerns over the new Income Tax Act, which grants the government increased access to citizens’ digital data.
Addressing India’s manufacturing sector, he highlighted that its GDP contribution has dropped from 17% in 2010 to 12.9% in 2024. While the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has benefited capital-intensive industries, it has neglected labour-intensive sectors like textiles and leather, leading to job losses and rising migration. He warned that some Indian youth are now joining foreign armies due to a lack of domestic opportunities.
Gogoi also pointed out the alarming decline in private investment, with capital outflows reaching $27.9 billion in 2024 and a 17% year-on-year drop in private capital investment to $22.7 billion. He blamed weak infrastructure spending and low consumer demand for the slump.
On defence, he criticized the government’s underinvestment, noting that India allocates only 1.9% of its GDP to defence—well below the recommended 2.5%—while China recently raised its budget to over $245 billion. He warned that only 25% of India’s defence budget goes toward modernization, leaving the armed forces under-equipped.
Gogoi also slammed the government for pushing the controversial Unified Pension Scheme despite widespread opposition, questioning why employee concerns were ignored.
Finally, he criticized the Prime Minister’s absence during the debate, calling it a leadership failure. He urged the government to move beyond event-driven politics and focus on real governance, economic stability, and meaningful engagement in Manipur before the crises deepen further.
