Finance Minister Eatala Rajender said that the State government’s memorandum to the 15th Finance Commission, which was constituted a few months ago, was under preparation.
Disclosing this in the Legislative Council during Question Hour on Saturday, the Minister said Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao had already conveyed to the Union Finance Minister that States which were introducing reforms and implementing innovative schemes should be helped and encouraged.
Yet, the Union Finance Minister had not shown such inclination nor allotted funds for the Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya though they were appreciated by NITI Ayog and it recommended that the Centre sanction ₹24,000 crore for the schemes.
He, however, said that if the Finance Commission took population based on the 2011 census instead of the 1976 census for devolution of funds to the States, then southern States, which had done well in family planning and controlled population growth, with better maternal and infant mortality rates, would stand to lose. The present percentage of 2.43 to Telangana in the tax devolution would further come down. The Finance Commission would not recommend funds normally for development projects, he said.
The State would submit its report to the Finance Commission, raising all aspects for a fair share to progressive States.
