What Did the Finance Commission Discuss During Its Visit to Uttarakhand?

Synopsis
In a significant visit, the <b>16th Finance Commission</b> engaged with Uttarakhand's Chief Minister <b>Pushkar Singh Dhami</b> to address vital <b>developmental issues</b>. The meeting highlighted the state’s needs and the challenges it faces in securing adequate funding. This interaction could shape the future of financial support for the state.
Key Takeaways
- The 16th Finance Commission visited Uttarakhand to discuss developmental issues.
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted various state needs.
- A meeting for state proposals is scheduled for Monday.
- The delegation included prominent financial experts.
- Concerns about diminishing central grants were raised by other states.
Dehradun, May 18 (NationPress) A delegation from the 16th Finance Commission arrived in Uttarakhand on Sunday to engage in discussions regarding various developmental challenges with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The Finance Commission team, which was led by its Chairman Arvind Panagariya, received a warm welcome at the Government House, as noted by Chief Minister Dhami on X.
The Chief Minister shared that a variety of topics concerning the state's development were thoroughly discussed with the delegation.
The financial delegation included notable members such as Annie George Mathew, Manoj Panda, Soumya Kantighosh, Commission Secretary Ritwik Pandey, Joint Secretary K.K. Mishra, and Joint Director P. Amruthavarshini.
An official stated that the state government is set to present its proposals to the Finance Commission during a meeting scheduled at the Secretariat on Monday, chaired by Chief Minister Dhami.
The Finance Commission is also planning to meet with representatives from municipal bodies, panchayats, and various political parties.
Present at the meeting were Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, and officials from the Finance Department.
On May 8, the Maharashtra government conducted a meeting with the 16th Finance Commission to express concerns over the diminishing share of grants from the Centre to states. The aid from the Central government was reported to be Rs 51,414 crore in 2022-23, which dropped to Rs 36,045 crore in 2023-24 and further reduced to Rs 31,830 crore in 2024-25.