Panneerselvam meets 15th Finance Commission Chairman

Chennai :Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Thursday met N.K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, in New Delhi and put across the state's views on the latter's Terms of Reference (ToR), an official said.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance portfolio, led a delegation of 40 parliamentarians from the AIADMK, including Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai. He also handed over a memorandum signed by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami.

The state government's major concern is the use of 2011 census data by the 15th Finance Commission, which is disadvantageous for Tamil Nadu when it comes to allocation of funds by the central government.

According to the Tamil Nadu government, the state has controlled population growth and therefore, share of funds by the Central Government based on 2011 census data will be less as compared 1971 census figures.

The delegation wanted the Commission to balance the need for fiscal transfers to less developed states with the growing aspirations of better performing states.

Singh assured the visiting delegation that the Commission would give the state a "careful consideration", said a statement from the Ministry of Finance.

"A progressive state like Tamil Nadu which has contributed greatly to India's prosperity would certainly receive the Commission's careful consideration. Commission's visit to the state of Tamil Nadu was finalised for end of September," said Singh in the statement.

"Fiscal needs of each state will be individually assessed and their special characteristics will be kept in view," Singh added.