Jan 9 – Goa govt has put forth demands for funds to the tune of Rs 32,706.45 crore before the 16th Finance Commission for executing 13 proposed projects under sectors such as Tourism Education, Health, Information Technology, Climate Change etc, informed Chairman of the Commission Dr Arvind Panagariya. He further said that the state has sought increase in share in divisible pool of funds which was 0.386 % under 15th Finance Commission to 1.78 % under 16th Finance Commission. The State has sought 4 fold increase, he informed. Panagariya was speaking to media persons after holding meeting with the State Cabinet and govt officials. The State has also proposed raising it’s share of the divisible pool from 41% to 50% and reducing the income distance parameter from 45% to 30% to better reflect its economic needs, Panagariya added. Goa has sought inclusion of achievements in Sustainability Development Goals as one of the criteria while deciding on the percentage share of fund devolution, he further informed. Other demands such as consideration of funds devolution based not merely on local population but on floating and migrant population, funds for addressing environmental concerns etc were also put forth before the commission. The 16th Finance commission has so far heard 15 states. It will hear 13 more states and then submit its recommendations to the Union govt.
