Discussing alternatives to base year, says 15th FC chairman N K Singh

Singh said that while the current year and part of next year would see a continued slowdown, things could get better from the latter half of 2021-22, and economy may grow at a rapid pace from thereon

Fifteenth Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh said on Friday that the commission and its economic advisory panel were discussing alternatives for a base year to build its recommendations on, given how unprecedented 2020-21 has been owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Singh said while no decision had been taken, there were deliberations on whether to take the first six months of 2021-22 or assumptions based on the past three years (2017-18 to 2019-20) as base year. 

On this, the 15th Finance Commission will build its projections and give its recommendations for 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Singh was addressing reporters through video-conferencing after a two-day