15th Fin Commission will be fair, reasonable, says its chief

The 15th Finance Commission today said it was not against any state and would come out with a "fair, rational and reasonable" decision on devolution of funds.

The assertion comes amid apprehensions raised by some non-BJP ruled states that the Terms Of Reference (ToR) of the commission would adversely affect them.

The commission was committed to providing "a fair, rational and reasonable decision on the process of devolution of funds between the Centre and the states," its Chairman N K Singh told reporters here.

Singh earlier held a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his ministerial colleagues and officials besides leaders of other political parties and representatives from trade and industry.

Kerala had last month convened a meeting of the Finance Ministers of southern states to jointly take up the issue related to ToR with the Centre.

Ministers from Karnataka, Telegana and Puducherry attended the meeting where Kerala alleged that some of the ToR ran against the spirit of federal structure and the country's Constitution.

Besides, a conclave of Chief Ministers and Finance Ministers of various states, including Kerala, held in Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh on May 7 had noted that the ToR "posed a threat to the economic independence of the states".

It made a strong pitch for assured devolution rather than discretionary devolution while suggesting at least 13 amendments to the ToR.

Referring to the objection raised by Kerala and other states over ToR, Singh said 'We are in no way responsible for ToR. We are the recipient of the ToR and not the creators."
On the concerns of Kerala, Singh said 'We have taken note of them and we will address."