A storm is brewing in Manipur’s political landscape after an RTI application filed by MLA Keisham Meghachandra Singh revealed alleged financial irregularities worth nearly ₹29 crore in the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat.
At a press briefing held at Congress Bhawan, Imphal, senior Congress leader Shri O. Joy, former MLA of Langthabal, termed the findings a serious breach of public trust and demanded an independent audit.
The Discrepancy: ₹25 Crore vs ₹29.22 Crore
The RTI documents reveal two conflicting figures:
| Expenditure Head | Reported Cost |
|---|---|
| Item-wise invoices (fish feed, flowers, water, stationery, etc.) | ₹25.00 crore |
| Firm-wise billing (six companies) | ₹29.22 crore |
The gap of ₹4.22 crore has been described in reports as the basis of a “₹29 crore scam.”
O. Joy highlighted questionable line items such as:
₹4.85 crore on manures and plants (including phumdis)
₹3 crore on seasonal flowers
₹2.70 crore each on drinking water and disposable items
₹98 lakh on toiletries
“These figures mock the struggles of ordinary people in Manipur,” Joy said, “where youth are jobless and farmers are in distress, yet crores are being spent on flowers and fish feed.”
Congress Demands Transparency
O. Joy demanded the Secretariat immediately release:
Sanctioning orders and tender notices for the expenditures.
Names of firms and work allotment letters.
Proof of transactions — digital or cash.
Compliance documents including GST returns, invoices, and challans.
“This is not about politics,” he insisted. “It is about the integrity of our democratic institutions. Every rupee spent by the Assembly belongs to the people.”
Public Sentiment and Youth Anger
The revelations have drawn strong reactions online. Civil society voices and youth groups accuse the state of prioritising indulgence over public welfare.
“The Gen Z of Manipur deserves jobs, justice, and a future — not scams,” read one student union statement shared widely on social platforms.
What’s Next
Congress leaders have called for:
A CAG audit of Assembly accounts.
Action from the State Vigilance Commission.
Greater transparency in government tenders and procurement.
With Assembly officials yet to issue a clarification, the issue is likely to gain traction in the coming weeks. For now, the “₹29 crore question” hangs heavily over Manipur’s governance.
