Finance Commission visits Uttarakhand, developmental issues discussed

IANS May 19, 2025 274 views

The 16th Finance Commission, led by Chairman Arvind Panagariya, visited Uttarakhand to discuss critical developmental issues with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. A comprehensive meeting is scheduled at the Secretariat to present state proposals and explore financial strategies. The delegation includes key members like Annie George Mathew and Manoj Panda who will engage with state officials. This visit highlights the ongoing dialogue between central financial institutions and state governments to address developmental challenges.

"The delegation of the 16th Finance Commission was welcomed at the Government House" - Pushkar Singh Dhami
Dehradun, May 18: The delegation of the 16th Finance Commission on Sunday visited Uttarakhand and discussed various developmental issues with the Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Key Points

1

Finance Commission explores Uttarakhand's developmental challenges

2

Detailed meeting planned with state government representatives

3

High-level financial discussions to address state needs

4

Comprehensive review of state's financial requirements

"The delegation of the 16th Finance Commission, led by its Chairman, Arvind Panagariya, was welcomed at the Government House," Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote on X.

The Chief Minister further informed that various points related to the development of the state were discussed with the delegation.

The financial team comprised Annie George Mathew, Manoj Panda, Soumya Kantighosh, Commission Secretary Ritwik Pandey, Joint Secretary K.K. Mishra, and Joint Director P. Amruthavarshini.

An official said that the state government will present its proposals before the Finance Commission in a meeting to be held at the Secretariat on Monday under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Pushkar Dhami.

The Finance Commission will also hold a meeting with the representatives of the municipal bodies, panchayat representatives and political parties.

Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar and officials of the Finance Department were present on the occasion.

On May 8, the Maharashtra government also held a meeting with the 16th Finance Commission and raised alarm over a reduction in the proportion of grants from the Centre to the states. The grants in aid from the Central government in 2022-23 were Rs 51,414 crore, which fell to Rs 36,045 crore in 2023-24 and further reduced to Rs 31,830 crore in 2024-25.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 authentic Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rahul K.
Good to see Finance Commission visiting Uttarakhand. Our hill states need special financial packages considering the geographical challenges. Hope they allocate more funds for road connectivity and tourism infrastructure. 🚗🏔️
P
Priya M.
The reduction in central grants is worrying. States like Uttarakhand depend heavily on central funds for development projects. The Finance Commission should ensure fair distribution, especially for smaller states with limited revenue sources.
A
Ankit S.
Uttarakhand needs funds for disaster management after the recent Joshimath crisis. Hope the state government presents strong proposals. Also, why are these meetings always so last minute? Better planning would help.
N
Neha T.
As someone from Dehradun, I hope they discuss better waste management systems. Our beautiful city is getting dirtier each year. More funds should go to municipalities for basic civic amenities. 🗑️♻️
V
Vikram J.
The Finance Commission should consider border area development separately. Uttarakhand shares boundaries with China and Nepal - better infrastructure in these regions is crucial for national security.
S
Sunita R.
Happy to see women representation in the Finance Commission team (Annie George Mathew and P. Amruthavarshini). Hope they pay special attention to women-centric schemes and rural development in the hills. 👩‍💼

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami State Development Financial Planning