Page 9 - 15th Finance Commission
Agenda for 15th Finance Commission
The 15th FC will be formed in the context of a massive change in the indirect tax structure brought about by the arrival of the GST
Finance panel may be asked to suggest ways to deal with states' farm crises
New Delhi, 17 JulyThe 15th Finance Commission (FFC) might be asked to suggest ways of providing more fiscal space and resources for states to deal with agricultural crises. The terms of reference and composition of the Commission are being decided and could be finalised by October.Business Standard has learnt the FFC could be told to study the impact of drought and price crashes due to oversupply on farmers and agricultural income. And, suggest how states could deal with such issues without breaking their fiscal limits.There have been large-scale protests by farmers around the country. Five states have announced farm loan waivers (Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra), totalling around Rs 2 lakh crore. This has prompted concerns about their fiscal health, already stretched due to issuance of bonds under the scheme to restructure power distribution companies, termed UDAY.Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has maintained that the central government will not ...
 "Finance panel may be asked to suggest ways to deal with states' farm crises")
N K Singh could head 15th Finance Commission, say sources
New Delhi, 11 JulyFormer revenue and expenditure secretary N K Singh, also an ex-Rajya Sabha member, is being considered for the position of chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, it is learnt.While Singh's isn't the only name being discussed (outgoing home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is also said to be), his record as a senior bureaucrat, technocratic credentials, and knowledge of central and state finances places him a strong position, two sources have said.Now a Bharatiya Janata Party member, Singh was a Rajya Sabha member in 2008-14. He was also Officer on Special Duty in the prime minister's office under Atal Behari Vajpayee, beside being a member of the erstwhile Planning Commission.Singh was most recently the chairman of the committee to review the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management law and its working. Its proposed law to replace this, on a fiscal road map till FY23, might be introduced in Parliament during the winter session."These are still early discussions, as the .
 "N K Singh could head 15th Finance Commission, say sources")