Kohima, 25 July (MTNews): The Government of Nagaland has constituted the third Nagaland State Finance Commission, as per the Finance Department Notification dated 20 March 2023. The Commission will be chaired by Menukhol John, a retired Principal Secretary to the Government of Nagaland.
The mandate of the Third Nagaland State Finance Commission is to provide recommendations covering a three-year period, from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2026. These recommendations will pertain to various crucial matters, including the principles governing the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees between the State and municipalities.
The Commission will also be responsible for determining the taxes, duties, tolls, and fees that may be assigned to or appropriated by the municipalities. Additionally, the commission will make recommendations regarding the grant-in-aid to the Municipalities from the Consolidated Fund of the State.
One of the primary objectives of the Commission is to explore measures that can improve the financial position of municipalities and Town Councils. This will be achieved by carefully evaluating the rates of various taxes, tolls, and fees that can be raised by the Municipalities and devising a method to determine these rates effectively.
The Commission is also entrusted with any other matter referred to it by the Government, which is deemed necessary for the sound finances of the municipalities.
In formulating its recommendations, the Commission will take into account a range of factors. These factors include the objective of maintaining a balance between the receipts and expenditure of the State Government and Local Bodies, while generating surplus funds for capital investment.
The Commission will also consider the available resources of the State Government and the demands placed on them, particularly in areas such as civil administration, maintenance and upkeep of capital assets, maintenance expenditures on planned schemes, and other committed expenditure or liabilities of the State.
The Commission will also take into account the requirements of the municipalities, their potential for raising resources, and avenues for reducing expenditure.
The Commission has invited suggestions/views on the above-mentioned issues from the general public, institutions and organizations. Interested individuals and entities can submit their suggestions/views to the Commission through post, addressed to the Member Secretary, Third Nagaland State Finance Commission, Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts Building, First Floor, New Capital Complex, Kohima, Nagaland, or via email to thirdnagalandfincom@gmail.com.
The deadline for submission is 15th of September 2023. The Commission believes that the valuable input received will contribute to better service delivery by Municipalities and Town Councils.
