State Finance Commission set up to strengthen local bodies

Guntur: The 14th State Finance Commission Chairman, Prof G Nancharaiah, convened a review meeting at the municipal corporation council hall here on Thursday and took suggestions from the GMC Commissioner, Srikesh B Lathkar, and Commissioners of other municipalities in the district for allocation of funds.

He said that the State Finance Commission was set up to strengthen the local bodies and added that grama panchayats, nagar panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations. He said that they will examine funds utilisation in the local bodies and source of income. 

Municipal Commissioners informed that they will also take suggestions and advices from the people's representatives. Prof Nancharaiah said that they will submit their report to the government in October 2019 based on that the state government will release grants to the local bodies.

He further stated that they will send report to the Central government also and added that based on that the Central government will release the 15th Finance Commission grants.  

GMC Commissioner Srikesh B Lathkar urged the committee take population and city area into consideration for releasing the funds and urged to give priority to Guntur city for releasing grants and reminded that recently 10 surrounding villages were merged into the GMC. He said that there is need to develop roads, drains, and infrastructure in the city and asked to allot more funds for Guntur city. 

Municipal Commissioners urged to allot funds for the construction of school buildings and infrastructure development in the school as the state government has directed to improve education standards in the municipal schools. They said that expenditure for sanitation and drinking water maintenance is increasing and urged to allot more grants and recommend to increase taxes in the municipalities to get more revenue.

The 14th State Finance Commission members B Nagaraju,T Bhaskara Rao, V Narasimhulu Naidu, D Satyanarayana, regional director of municipal administration Srinivasa Rao, municipal commissioners in the district were present.