Third Finance Commission to submit report by year-end

Mysore, Jan 19 (UNI) The third Finance Commission, constituted by the Karnataka Government to financially strengthen the panchayat raj system in the State, is expected to submit its report by December this year.

Informing this to media persons here, Commission Chairman A G Kodgi said the recently-constituted Commission would visit all the zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats for a detailed study of its financial position and distribution of power to the taluk and gram panchayats. Besides hearing the elected representatives' views, the Commission would also ascertain the allocation of funds to various programmes, including drinking water through zilla panchayats.

He said the Commission had received good response from the members who raised many issues, including lapses of the Government in allocation of funds to the taluk and gram panchayats.

Explaining the purpose of the Commission, its Secretary K R Shashidhar said the report would suggest to the Government how much funds should be earmarked to panchayats from the Government revenue.

UNI