RAIPUR,CG: The panchayat representatives raised the demand for higher allocations for development works at the panchayat level on Thursday before the 16th Central Finance Commission during the meeting held on Thursday.

A discussion of the 16th Central Finance Commission with representatives of Panchayat, urban bodies and political parties was organized at Mayfair Lake Resort, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.

Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the Central Finance Commission chaired the meeting with members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Dr. Manoj Panda, Dr. Soumyakanti Ghosh and other officials.

S. Bharathi Dasan, Secretary, Panchayat Department, through a presentation, briefed the Commission about the amount received by the Panchayats, their requirements and their financial management. Panchayat representatives from different areas of the state presented suggestions and demands before the Commission keeping in mind the problems and needs of their respective areas. They demanded more assistance from the Centre to strengthen the financial position of the panchayats.

A presentation was also made about the financial position of the urban bodies, their challenges and needs during the meeting with urban body representatives. Representatives from urban bodies discussed the financial challenges and development needs of their respective areas and placed their suggestions and demands before the Commission. They also sought to increase the availability of financial resources for urban bodies and improve their financial management.

A meeting was also held with representatives of various political parties. The public representatives of various parties presented suggestions and demands on behalf of their respective parties before the Commission. They sought more financial allocations for the state for both rural and urban needs.