Kerala to host high-level conclave of 5 non-BJP states to address 16th Finance Commission challenges

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala on Thursday will host a crucial meeting of ministers from five non-BJP-ruled states to discuss significant issues concerning the 16th Finance Commission. This event, organised by the state, aims to address the developmental and financial challenges that states are currently facing and to present these concerns to the Commission chaired by Dr Arvind Panagariya.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the high-level conclave, which will be attended by key figures such as Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu. Other distinguished attendees include Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan, renowned economist and former economic advisor to the central government Dr Arvind Subramanian, former Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac and vice-chairman of the Kerala State Planning Board Prof V K Ramachandran.

The event will be presided over by Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal.

The primary goal of the meeting is to highlight the challenges related to economic federalism and explore potential solutions with the 16th Finance Commission. (Agencies)