Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday greeted everyone on National Panchayati Raj Day, 2026, and reaffirmed his commitment to rural development, good governance, and empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), with a focus on water-secure villages and self-reliant panchayats.
PRIs in Manipur’s five valley districts, Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, operate under a two-tier system (Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad) as per the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
However, elections have been delayed since the term expired in 2022. The sixth general Panchayat election in Manipur was scheduled for June 2023 but was cancelled due to the law and order situation in the sensitive border state. Local administration is currently being managed through administrative committees.
The State Cabinet, in its February 2026 meeting, decided to hold Panchayat elections at the earliest, in compliance with a Manipur High Court order issued under President’s Rule, directing that Panchayat elections be held within six months.
As of April 2026, the District Commissioners of the respective valley districts have initiated the appointment of administrative committees for each Gram Panchayat, in line with the administrative setup of each district.
PRIs in the region are responsible for implementing 29 subjects related to rural development, with monitoring done through District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (DISHA).
Following the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, Manipur enacted the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, which restructured PRIs into a two-tier system: Gram Panchayats (GPs) at the village level and Zilla Parishads (ZPs) at the district level. This Act aimed to empower PRIs by providing greater autonomy and financial resources.
The Chief Minister posted on his Facebook page on Friday, stating, “Let us pledge to advance Local Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen grassroots governance.” He concluded, “Happy Panchayati Raj Day, 2026.”