Ranchi, May 30: The Jharkhand government has sought a grant of Rs 3.527 lakh crore crores from the 16th Finance Commission for the development of the state.
On Friday, ministers, senior officials and representatives of the state government gave a detailed presentation on the possible roadmap for integrated and inclusive development in various sectors to the commission’s team, which was on a four-day visit to the state.
The government told the commission that the state, which is rich in minerals and natural resources, has not yet received a share in the central grants in proportion to the large scale at which its resources are exploited for the country’s needs.
In the meeting chaired by the commission chairperson Arvind Panagariya and attended by Jharkhand finance minister Radhakrishna Kishore, higher education, urban development and tourism minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, water resources minister Yogendra Prasad among others the ministers felt that Jharkhand needs special protection and assistance to bring it ahead in the race of development. The commission was also apprised of the various schemes being run in the state and the steps being taken for social, economic development.
According to the information provided officially, the state government has placed the highest demand of Rs 2.1772 crore for the development of infrastructure. Under this, the needs related to roads, bridges, rural development, transport, urban development, energy, industry and tourism etc. have been outlined.
Meanwhile, the 16th finance commission chairperson Arvind Panagariya has made it clear that if the process of local body elections is completed in Jharkhand this year, then the outstanding money for both the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 will be received.
Addressing the media on Friday He said that the 15th Finance Commission had put a condition that elections of local bodies are necessary for grants. The money here is stuck due to non-conduct of elections
If elections are held this year, then the money for two years will also be released.
Panagariya also clarified that the Finance Commission only makes recommendations. Grants come from the Central Government’s budget.
“The 13th Finance Commission had recommended the state’s share in central taxes to be 32.02 percent. The remaining 68 percent goes to the central pool,” said Panagariya.
The 15th Finance Commission had recommended the state’s share in central taxes to be 41 percent. Now the Jharkhand government is demanding 50 percent share in central taxes.
