The 16th Finance Commission, led by Chairman Arvind Panagariya, is set to hold a series of meetings with the Tripura government and various stakeholders during its four-day visit to the state starting Wednesday. The 12-member team, headed by Panagariya, will engage with political parties, rural and urban local bodies, and representatives of trade, industries, and commerce.
Upon their arrival on Wednesday, the Commission will visit various parts of Tripura and conduct over a dozen meetings with stakeholders. A senior Tripura government official stated that the Commission will hold a crucial meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, his Cabinet members, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, and Secretaries of various departments on Thursday, January 30.
On the same day, the Commission will also meet with Panchayat Raj institutions, urban local bodies, representatives of the Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), leaders of various political parties, and representatives of trade, commerce, and industry bodies. Additionally, the Finance Commission Chairman, along with four of its members and other officials, will visit tourist spots in the Gomati, Sepahijala, and West Tripura districts.
The 16th Finance Commission was constituted on December 31, 2023, with Panagariya, former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, as its Chairman. The four full-time members include Ajay Narayan Jha, former member of the 15th Finance Commission and former Secretary of Expenditure, Annie George Mathew, former Special Secretary of Expenditure, Manoj Panda, former director at the Institute of Economic Growth, and Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Advisor at the State Bank of India.
The Commission has already visited various northeastern states, holding meetings with state governments, stakeholders, and political leaders. According to officials, the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission will be available by October 31, 2025, covering an award period of five years starting from April 1, 2026.
