Arunachal's Chief Secretary appraises members of Finance Commission

A high-level delegation from Arunachal Pradesh led by Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi has apprised the members of Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) at New Delhi on the needs of the state.

The team returned yesterday after the meeting the FFC on May 27, official sources said here today.

The FFC as per the Constitutional mandate will recommend the allocation of Non Plan funds for the period 2015-20 including share of central taxes among the states.

The Commission has held discussions with almost all the states and is due to submit the recommendations this October.

In the three long meeting with all the members and senior officers of the Commission, the CS in his introductory remarks highlighted the typical and unique characteristic of the state especially in relation to the huge forest cover, sparse and spread out population, geography and related climatic conditions and the development disability caused by these factors.

Thereafter a detailed presentation was made by the Finance Secretary detailing the development activities in the state, state finances, views of the state on issues flagged by the Commission and the demands.

The Commission took cognizance of the specific and unique aspects and difficulties emanating thereof and provided valuable inputs.

The Commission is likely to visit the state in the second week of June next to meet the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues to finalise the demands of the state.

The Commission is also likely to meet the members of the local bodies, industrialists of the state, sources said.