MP State Finance Commission launches its website to invite public suggestions

Bhopal, Aug 20 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh State Finance Commission on Thursday launched a dedicated website to bring its work, recommendations and information on the financial position of panchayats and urban local bodies into the public domain and invite suggestions from citizens.

State Finance Commission Chairman Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya inaugurated the website, www.sfc.mp.gov.in, at Vallabh Bhawan (Secretariat) in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Manish Rastogi and Commission members K.K. Singh and Virendra Kumar.

The website is intended to provide a single digital platform through which public representatives, officials, experts and citizens can access information about the Commission’s functioning, activities and recommendations.

It will also enable citizens to submit suggestions online, giving the State Finance Commission a direct channel for receiving views on issues concerning the finances and functioning of local bodies.

After official launch of the website, Pawaiya said the State Finance Commission would assess the financial position of panchayats and municipalities and recommend measures to strengthen their resource base.

“The website will serve as an important medium to communicate the Commission’s work to the public and receive their suggestions,” he added.

The Commission is mandated to examine the distribution of net revenue from state taxes, duties, tolls and fees and recommend principles for sharing resources between the state government, panchayats and urban local bodies.

It will also consider the principles governing taxes and grants to local bodies, including the distribution of revenue from land taxes, stamp duties and taxes on petroleum products.

Pawaiya also said that the Commission would examine issues related to debt obligations, interest payments and limits on establishment expenditure while making recommendations on capital expenditure, expansion of public amenities and incentive policies.

“We will review the financial status of local bodies and make recommendations to strengthen their resources and improve public services and amenities,” he added.

The Commission will also review the audit system, promote environmental conservation initiatives and suggest measures to rationalise expenditure on the operation and maintenance of public amenities.

–IANS

pd/khz