The Assam Government led by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a crucial move aimed at strengthening local governance and fiscal autonomy, has constituted the Seventh Assam State Finance Commission, appointing Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita (Retd) as its Chairman.
The Commission, mandated under constitutional provisions (Article 243-I and 243-Y), includes key officials such as senior Secretaries from the Finance, Panchayat and Rural Development, and Housing and Urban Affairs Departments.
It features esteemed members like retired IAS officer Debeswar Malakar, economist Prof Mrinal Kanti Dutta from Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G), and the Special Secretary to the Finance Department.
Central to its role, the Commission will recommend fair distribution of taxes and duties between the State Government and local bodies, namely Panchayats and Municipalities. It will propose measures to enhance financial stability and address issues referred by the Governor to ensure sustainable fiscal health for these bodies.
The Commission aims to submit a comprehensive report to the Governor by December 16, 2024, outlining strategies for the next five years starting from April 1, 2025.
This initiative reflects Assam’s commitment to empower grassroots governance and promote fiscal prudence across local administrations.
