Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 Nov: The Sixth Finance Commission’s district-level meeting was held here today in the Dehradun Zila Panchayat Auditorium under the chairmanship of Commission Chairman and former Chief Secretary N Ravishankar. The meeting witnessed in-depth discussions with people’s representatives from local urban local bodies (ULBs), three-tier Panchayat institutions, political parties, and officials on topics including the Master Plan for ULBs, urban development, and increasing self-revenue.
Commission Members PS Jangpangi and Dr MC Joshi, both retired IAS officers, were also present at the meeting.
Representatives from ULBs and Panchayats gave their suggestions to the State Finance Commission regarding the budget, requirement of schemes, and local priorities for regional development. The representatives highlighted key issues before the Commission, including the lack of basic facilities in the rural wards integrated into urban bodies, the shortage of trenching grounds for garbage disposal in cities, the problem of waste disposal in Gram Panchayats, disposal of dead animals, sewerage systems, waterlogging, parking, and problems caused by floating populations in cities. The representatives requested an increase in the funds allocated by the Finance Commission. Panchayat representatives pointed out that the Commission currently allocates funds at a ratio of 60 per cent for urban areas and 40 per cent for rural areas, whereas rural areas, especially those in difficult terrain, still face more problems. They suggested that this ratio should be considered for reversal, with 60 per cent for rural areas and 40
Commission Chairman N Ravishankar shared information on the role and working mechanism of the State Finance Commission. He stated that the Commission’s primary role is to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the State Government and the local bodies and Panchayats, ensuring that local bodies and Panchayats receive adequate financial resources to carry out their functions effectively. He urged the representatives to prepare development plans based on five-year proposals for development works while keeping in mind the needs of the next 20 years. The Chairman said that schemes that are not sanctioned under the Central, State, or District sectors should be completed with the funds received from the Finance Commission. He also mentioned that if a ULB or Panchayat has a special project in the public interest, the Commission can make a separate recommendation for it. The Chairman stressed that urbanisation is a continuous process and population density is rapidly increasing in cities. It is suggestions given by the representatives would be placed before the State Government by the Commission along with its recommendations. The Commission also emphasised the need to run a widespread campaign to raise awareness about solid waste management.
Those present included Zila Panchayat President, Vice President, Zila Panchayat Members, Block Heads, Kshetra Panchayat Members, Chairmen of ULBs, Councillors, Gram Pradhans, along with Chief Development Officer (CDO) Abhinav Shah, Project Director DRDA Vikram Singh, and Executive Officers of ULBs, among others.
