Karnataka Finance Commission to submit its final report in December

Udupi, Karnataka, May 17 (UNI) The Third Karnataka State Finance Commission will submit its final report to the State government by December, Commission Chairman A G Kodgi said today.

Talking to newsmen here, he said though the period was limited before the Commission in view of the delay in the commencement of its functioning, Report would be submitted within scheduled time.

The Commission had already toured seven districts in the state to study the main issues and ways to mobilise resources by Panchayats and local bodies and quantum of distribution of government grants to the Gram Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats, he said adding that the Commission had to study every aspect of the local bodies before submitting its recommendations for implementation.

Mr Kodgi said that during his tour of various districts he came across complaints on shortage of resources, staff and in some cases misuse of funds by the Gram Panchayats. In the case of Taluk and Zilla Panchayats, the Commission the memebrs complained that the powers of the Panchayatraj institutions were being curtailed much against the basic objectives of decentralisation of powers. They also lamented that there was a drastic cut in the government grants to the Panchayatraj institutions.

Members of the Zilla Panchayatsalso demanded sanctioning of a separate area development on the lines of the MPs and MLAs development Fund.

He also felt the need to strengthen the panchayatraj system for effective functioning and rural development. This required proper flow of funds, resource mobilisation by the institutions and the role of responsibility.

UNI