16th Finance Commission Team to Visit Tripura on January 29

Agartala, Jan 09, 2025, By Our Correspondent

 A high-level delegation from the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, is scheduled to visit Tripura on January 29 to discuss financial matters with state government representatives and officials. The team includes members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Manoj Panda, Soumya Kanti Ghosh (part-time), and Secretary Ritvik Ranjan Pandey.According to sources from the state secretariat, the Commission members will remain in Tripura until January 31. Preparations for the visit, including meetings with top state officials, have been finalized. The state government is expected to present several key financial demands during the visit. Among these is a request for funds to implement the Seventh Pay Commission for government employees. Additionally, as Tripura lies in seismic zone V, which is highly prone to earthquakes, the state will likely seek a central grant for disaster mitigation. Infrastructure development will also be a focus, with the government pushing for increased funding to improve the state's facilities. Officials noted that Tripura’s significant forest cover 73.68 percent of its geographical area poses challenges for developmental activities. The government plans to advocate for additional funds to address these constraints and boost development over the next five years. The visit of the 16th Finance Commission is seen as a critical opportunity for Tripura to secure the resources needed to advance its developmental agenda