Will Make Proposals based on NE’s Socio-Economic Situation: Arvind Panagariya

Agartala: The 16th Finance Commission while making its recommendations would keep in mind the socio-economic and geographical situations of the northeastern states, the panel chairman Arvind Panagariya said on Thursday.

Panagariya added that like other states, the northeastern states also demanded to increase the tax devolution from the Centre from the present 41 percent while the Tripura government has demanded an increase by 50 percent.

Briefing the media on the second day of his visit, Panagariya said that Tripura is the 17th state in the country and the Commission has already visited and heard the demands and views of the state governments.

"Out of eight northeastern states, the Commission is yet to visit Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

Appreciating the satisfactory forest cover of the northeastern states, the Finance Commission Chairman said that due to the hilly nature of the region like other mountainous states, higher costs are required in the region for building infrastructure or ferrying goods.

He said for the core Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the funding pattern for the northeastern states in the ratio of 90:10, where 90 per cent of the total expenditure was borne by the Union government and 10 per cent contributed by the state concerned while for the other states the ratio is 60:40 ratio.

The Commission would make its recommendations based on the population ratio by October this year, the chairman said, adding that as per the 15th Finance Commission the tax devolution ratio was 59 percent for the Union government and 41 per cent for the 28 states of the country.

The panel chairman asserted that Tripura's economy is well managed and the state's finances are in a sound position.

The finance panel also held a meeting with the Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. Chief Secretary J K Sinha, Finance Secretary Apurba Roy and top officials of all departments were also present in the meeting.

Panagariya stated that the state's committed expenditure and debt have been on the decline which is a good sign. He added that the state's dependency on the agriculture sector is 30-35 per cent which is lower as compared to national average. Nationally, 45 per cent of the workforce is dependent on the agriculture sector. (IANS)

Also Read: 16th Finance Commission Delegation Visits Tripura to Assess Finances and Development Plans

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