Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today attended the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog here in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and NITI Aayog Chairman Narendra Modi. The theme of the meeting was ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047’, which focuses on the foundation for the future of States and the nation.
The session was also attended by Union Council of Ministers, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Lt. Governors of Union Territories and Chief Ministers of all states.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and strong commitment to the development of Manipur. He said that with the strong action of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and joint efforts of the Central and State Governments, the overall law and order situation in Manipur has improved.
On the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the Chief Minister said that with the Central support, major humanitarian steps have been taken up for the IDPs. Phased resettlement is going on under the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Package. He said that with the help of the Central Government, around 11,000 families have been resettled so far. The State Government is making all efforts to resettle the remaining families at the earliest.
He also thanked the Central Government for approving 5,000 additional houses under PMAY-G for 2026-27 and asked for more support. The Chief Minister stated that the State has been moving steadily toward peace under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, he added.
He said that since his Government was formed on 4th February 2026, it has been working not only to restore peace, but also to rebuild trust and reconciliation among different communities.
Khemchand Singh shared that he personally visited relief camps at Jiribam and Imphal. He also visited Senapati district via Kangpokpi district and met both Naga and Kuki communities during his visit to Ukhrul District. He added that he interacted with IDPs of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts through video conference.
Talking about his key visits to Jiribam for peace building, the Chief Minister said that he visited the district twice — first by helicopter and later by road. He said that Jiribam has given new hope for peace as it was the first district where Meitei, Kuki, Paite and Hmar communities came together peacefully and shared a meal.
He also informed the Aayog that IDPs from Jiribam have started returning to their original homes. He expressed his wish to repeat the Jiribam example in all other districts of Manipur. He requested more Central help to restore dignity, security and lasting livelihoods for the displaced.
Pointing to challenges from the conflict in Myanmar, Shri Khemchand Singh stressed the need for stronger management of the long border, better surveillance systems and joint action against drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking.
The Chief Minister also informed the Aayog that to check illegal arms and drug smuggling across the Indo-Myanmar border, the Ministry of Home Affairs has completed 50 kilometres of border fencing. Work on another 80 kilometres has started.
In healthcare, the Chief Minister said that over 1.4 lakh free treatments worth more than ₹181 crore have been given under Ayushman Bharat and the Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang scheme. He added that Manipur now has the lowest Infant Mortality Rate in the country.
In higher education, Khemchand Singh said that the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio stands at 35.5%, above the national average of 28.4%, but with much more to achieve. Mission-mode recruitment of teaching faculty is underway, and our universities are aligning fully with the National Credit Framework and NEP 2020 reforms, he added. “We request that Manipur be included in the national Research and Innovation Parks and Mega Educational Hubs initiative, with at least one regional node linking our universities, NIT, IIIT, and local enterprise clusters,” he said.
Khemchand Singh said that Manipur is a land of great strength and strong hope. Across its valleys and hills, among communities that have seen both rich cultural joy and the pain of conflict, there is a strong wish for peace, dignity, and a better future. He said the recovery in the State is real and visible — offices are working, schools are reopening, festivals have returned, businesses are reviving and citizens are walking with hope once again.
The Chief Minister told the gathering that Manipuri youths have been trained in the Japanese language and through a partnership between our Skill Development Department, NSDC and NSDC, many are now working in healthcare and hospitality sectors in Japan. Youths are also placed in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Portugal and the United States under DDU-GKY, he added.
He requested Central support for modernisation of ITIs and Polytechnics under a hub-and-spoke model with industry, so that every trained youth in Manipur becomes a placed and productive professional.
To help remote areas, the Chief Minister asked for more districts and blocks to be added under the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes. He also sought accelerated support for Act East connectivity including national highways, railways, and border trade infrastructure at Moreh, so that Manipur can fully fulfil its role as India’s Gateway to East Asia under the Act East Policy.
Concluding his address, Khemchand Singh reaffirmed the State Government’s resolve to bring Manipur out of the shadow of conflict. He said that Manipur is marching steadily toward the sunlight of peace and prosperity. With the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the steadfast support of the Central Government, and the partnership of NITI Aayog, we are determined to ensure that a Viksit Manipur stands proudly as a sparkling jewel in the crown of a Viksit Bharat, he concluded.
