Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 5: The 14th Finance Commission led by Chairman Dr. Y.V. Reddy, along-with the members of the Commission including Prof. Abhijit Sen, member Planning Commission of India, Sushma Nath, former Finance Secretary, Dr. M. Govind Rao, Director National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, besides Dr. Sudipto Mundle, Former Acting Chairman of National Statistical Commission arrived here today on two day visit.
During their stay here, the Commission would hold deliberations with the State Government, political parties and stakeholders for fixing the award to the State.
Soon after their arrival, the Commission interacted with representatives of Rural & Urban Local Bodies.
The Commissioner / Secretary Rural Development Department informed that out of the total 4128 Panchayat Halqas, construction of as many as 1678 Panchayat Ghars were undertaken during the 13th Finance Commission, however, 265 Panchayats still are without buildings requiring funds to the tune of Rs. 795 crores with a unit cost of Rs. 30.00 lakh per building. The demand for the provision of honorarium of Panchs and Sarpanchs shall also be taken into account during the recommendations of the Commission, he added.
The representatives of the Rural Local Bodies from all the three regions of the State put-forth their demands for effective functioning of the Panchayats including infrastructure developments, disaster management, sanitation, exploitation of the diverse climatic conditions besides augmentation of manpower. They also demanded various initiatives for boosting rural economy, besides generation of revenue for which the 14th Financial Commission has to provide liberal funding for strengthening the rural infrastructure.
A Power Point presentation was also made on the occasion highlighting the achievements made in the rural sector during the 13th Finance Commission.
Meanwhile, the 14th Finance Commission also interacted with the representatives of Urban Local Bodies. Deliberating on the achievements of the Department, Commissioner/Secretary Urban Development Department through a Power Point Presentation gave a detailed account of the functioning of the department. He said that urban areas are the engines of economic growth contributing substantially to state GDP as secondary and tertiary sectors are almost entirely located in the urban areas. However, due to rapid urbanization and unprecedented migration, the urban areas possess limited civic amenities.
He said that against the projection of Rs. 1339 crore during the 13th Financial Commission only Rs. 204 crore were awarded.
However, for the preparation and implementation of city sanitation plans, upgradation of civic amenities, creation of multi-layer parking lots and shopping complexes, decongestion of urban areas, providing sewerage network, development of new housing stocks besides preservation-cum-conservation of water bodies in the State, funds to the tune of Rs. 4795 crore were proposed to the Commission.
Later, the members of the Finance Commission while deliberating on various demands put-forth by the representatives said that the Commission shall supplement the initiatives of the State Finance Commission.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman Finance Commission assured that for developing administrative infrastructure and other initiatives the suggestions put-forth will be taken care of.
Meanwhile, Finance Commission held interaction with the representatives of the Trade and Industry.
Financial Commissioner, Industries & Commerce, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai also participated.
The representatives of Trade and Industry highlighted the measures to be initiated for the development of Trade and Industrial sector in the State. The industry pointed out the peculiar topography, climatic conditions, development deficit in terms of road connectivity, power supply, lack of adequate industrial infrastructure etc for consideration of the commission.
In his address, Financial Commissioner, I&C emphasized for up- gradation of the existing industrial estates besides setting up of new industrial estates across the state. He said for the development of Trade and Industry, an environment conducive for entrepreneurship and infrastructural development needs to be created in the state.
Chairman 14th Finance Commission said that Jammu and Kashmir comprises 3 diverse regions with unique economies which needs to taken into account while allocating funds to the State. He said, considering the disabilities and requirements of the state, specific packages/projects will be considered and assured that the suggestions made will be taken into account.
The representatives of political parties also met the Finance Commission and pitched for new articulation of fiscal federalism in the country in the light of open market economy even as they pleaded for J&K’s special status to be recognised in terms of fiscal relations between Centre and the States as well.
The representatives also pleaded for taking into account the topography, harsh climatic conditions and limited working season of the State while deciding the award. They also demanded relaxation of cost units in terms of various Central schemes like road and building construction in view of the hilly terrain of the State. They also demanded making the Central grants non lapsable and minimising the formal procedures of these grants.
The representatives of political parties who interacted with the Finance Commission included Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir from Congress, MLC, Vijay Bakaya from National Conference, MLC, Naeem Akhtar from People’s Democratic Party, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat from BJP, Ghulam Nabi Malik from CPI (M) and Ghulam Muhammad Sheikh from CPI.
The representatives pleaded for more resources to boost agriculture and horticulture sectors in the State, particularly post harvest techniques and R&D, to generate more market support for the produce thereby creating more and more employment avenues. They also brought into the notice of the Commission the limited resources base of the State.
Issues like rural sanitation, availability of safe drinking water, increasing outlay for crop insurance, lake conservation, implementation of Rangarajan Committee recommendations, strengthening power supply and distribution system, more irrigation facilities etc. were also brought into the notice of the Commission.
The Chairman of the Commission assured them to look into them in a proper framework.
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