HimVani
Dharamsala (Dec 6): The Planning Commission has constituted a high-level committee to look into complaints of disparity being done under the 13th Finance Commission (2010-2015) to states like Himachal Pradesh, said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal while replying to a query in the state Assembly here at Tapovan today.
While giving reply of a query raised by Roop Singh Thakur (BJP-Sundernagar) during Question Hour, Dhumal said that the 13th Finance Commission has deprived Himachal Pradesh and others special category states, including northeastern states, in recommending awards by under-assessment of state’s liabilities owing to implementation of recommendation of the 5th Pay Commission. Dhumal said that he recently met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who apprised him that a panel has been set up to look into the complaints of disparity with these states. He said that Himachal has released arrears owing to recommendation of the 5th Pay Commission but northeastern states have not even able to that even.
“In view of the unjustified recommendations of the TFC, the resource-starved states have been facing severe financial crisis. We are now eagerly awaiting the proposal of the Planning Commission constituted committee, formed recently,” Dhumal said.
Besides the eight northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand are categorised as special category states and are getting special financial assistance from the centre and various monetary panels.
Out of 28 states in India, for five states the total award given by TFC remains higher, in the range of more than 150 per cent, compared with 12th Finance Commission. For 15 states, the increase compared with previous commissions remained in the range 100 to 150 per cent, while for five states, the raise remained little less than 100 per cent. In case of three states, the percentage of increase remained far less compared with other states. These are Himachal Pradesh (50.11 per cent), Tripura (55.96 per cent) and Uttarakhand (66.54 per cent).
