Congress MP Alfred Arthur said that the budget did not prioritise the rebuilding needs of a state ravaged by one of the worst ethnic clashes in recent decades. The Centre envisaged an expenditure of Rs 35,103.90 crore, up from Rs 32,656.81 crore in the current financial year. The budget provides for over Rs 2,000 crore under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and Rs 9,520 crore for social sector outlay. For relief and rehabilitation for internally displaced persons, Rs 15 crore has been provided for temporary shelter to them; Rs 35 crore towards housing for displaced people, Rs 100 crore for relief operation, and Rs 7 crore for compensation. Manipur has been witnessing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, in which more than 200 people have lost their lives. The protracted violence sparked a huge political firestorm amid continuous political pressure from the state’s Opposition Congress which accused the Central and the state governments of taking no step to bring the situation under control and reassure the people.