FM Cheema Outlines Vision and State Concerns at 16th Finance Commission Conclave
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh/Thiruvananthapuram, September 12-
Punjab FM Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday addressed the 16th Finance Commission Conclave of Finance Ministers at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where he eloquently articulated the pressing concerns affecting states and succinctly outlined Punjab's vision, aspirations, and expectations, setting the tone for a productive and insightful discourse
Delivering his address at the morning session of the Conclave, Cheema began by extending his heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Kerala for graciously hosting the esteemed gathering and lauded the state's visionary leadership. He then proceeded to share Punjab's constructive engagement with the 16th Finance Commission, shedding light on pressing concerns such as the stark disparity between social and developmental expenditures, and the constrained fiscal autonomy resulting from the implementation of GST.
Cheema emphasized the imperative for the Commission to acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by each state, while also advocating for a significant enhancement of vertical devolution from the current 41% of the divisible pool to a much higher share.
