Bandhs, blockades cost Manipur Rs 25-30 crore in tax revenue daily: CM

Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that the daily loss in tax revenue due to bandhs and blockades is around Rs 25-30 crore.

He made the remarks while releasing a bilingual Burmese-Manipuri souvenir commemorating the 228th death anniversary of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra at a function held at the Darbar Hall, Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Babupura, Imphal.

The souvenir has been brought out by the Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation, Manipur, in association with the Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance. It will be distributed during the Punyatithi observance of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, scheduled to be held in Mandalay, Myanmar, on October 13.


Singh said that, according to historical accounts, most kings of Manipur spent 100 days of the year in the hills. He said these historical experiences were significant in understanding how elders played an important role in bringing together different communities living in the state, facilitating interaction among them and strengthening the idea of a united Manipur.

Singh said the historical and cultural presence of Manipur extends beyond the present geographical boundaries of the state. In places including Assam, Dimapur and Meghalaya, elders had preserved a place and identity for Manipur through institutions and settlements known as Rajbari. He described the continued recognition of Manipur’s historical presence outside the state as a matter of pride for its people.

Highlighting the legacy of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, the chief minister said the title “Rajarshi” reflected that he was not only a king but also a spiritual leader. As a visionary ruler, he played a seminal role in introducing and establishing Ras Lila, which has become one of Manipur’s most distinguished cultural traditions.

He said Manipuri Ras Lila’s contribution to India’s classical dance tradition is widely recognised, adding that Manipur’s cultural heritage has an important place in the broader tradition of Indian classical performing arts.

The chief minister also highlighted the longstanding historical relationship between Manipur and Assam. He said geographical proximity between the two regions, along with historical links established through the marriage of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s daughter, helped strengthen ties between the people of Manipur and Assam. He noted that a book has also been published documenting the historical role played by Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s daughter in strengthening ties with the people of the erstwhile Ahom Kingdom in Assam.

Singh said these historical connections demonstrate that the close cultural and social ties established between the people of Manipur and neighbouring regions in earlier times have continued into the present. He said these bonds were among the legacies of the visionary leadership of the kings of Manipur.

Singh stressed that the people of Manipur should not view the state in isolation. He said considering the small geographical size of Manipur as the entire world would be a misunderstanding, as the state is surrounded by neighbouring states and inhabited by diverse communities with which it shares longstanding historical and cultural connections.

He said peaceful coexistence among all communities is essential for the development of Manipur, adding that the state can achieve sustained development only when different communities are able to live together peacefully.

Referring to the impact of the conflict that began on May 3, 2023, the chief minister said the government and people of Manipur had endured considerable collateral damage, particularly in the economic sphere. He said the prolonged crisis had contributed to a decline of more than Rs 1,200 crore in GST revenue, while frequent bandhs and blockades had further affected economic activity. Recent reports have also quoted the chief minister as putting the daily loss in tax revenue from bandhs and blockades at around Rs 25-30 crore.

He said the impact of such disruptions was felt most severely by daily wage earners and other sections dependent on regular economic activity. The chief minister appealed to the people and civil society organisations not to resort to bandhs and blockades and urged them to address differences and grievances through dialogue.

Drawing an analogy from nature, Khemchand said that just as a withered flower becomes fresh again with the arrival of monsoon rain, Manipur too can regain its vitality as peace and economic activity return to the state.

He appealed to everyone to contribute to conveying and strengthening the message of peace, coexistence and development, saying collective efforts would help Manipur once again move forward on the path of development.