Agartala: A delegation of the 16th Finance Commission, headed by its chairman Arvind Panagariya, is expected to arrive in Tripura on January 29 on a four-day visit.
The team comprises FC members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Manoj Panda, Soumya Kanti Ghosh, and secretary Ritvik Ranjan Pandey.
During the team’s visit to the northeastern state, they will meet Chief Minister Manik Saha and hold discussions with government officials and other stakeholders to discuss gap grants for 2027-32.
The team will seek to understand the key issues and engage in productive interactions with state administration officials.
The delegation intends to understand the issues of the state and interact with the administration during their two-day stay.
The visit is expected to focus on critical financial demands from the state government. Among the key proposals is a request for funds to implement 7th Pay Commission recommendations for state govt employees.
This demand aims to improve the financial well-being of govt employees and align their pay scales with national standards.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of local perspectives, the commission will hold meetings with representatives from local urban bodies, such as the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), as well as engage with delegations from political parties to understand their demands and viewpoints.
“Tripura falls under seismic zone V, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes. The state govt is likely to seek central grants for disaster mitigation efforts. It’s crucial for enhancing the state’s disaster preparedness and reducing the impact of natural calamities,” a source said.
The panel will assess the funding requirements for the state’s non-plan expenditure over the next five years, commencing from April 1, 2026.
Infrastructure development remains a critical challenge in Tripura. The state’s ambitious plans to bridge infrastructure gaps and enhance facilities across sectors will require significant funding.
Tripura’s extensive forest cover, which spans 73.68% of its geographical area, presents unique challenges to development.
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The extensive recorded forest area of 6,294 sq km, while crucial for ecological balance, presents a significant challenge to large-scale development projects.
To address this challenge, the state government seeks increased central assistance to balance conservation with development needs.
