Shillong, Sept 30: The Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission (FC), Arvind Panagariya on Monday revealed that Meghalaya has requested grant-in-aid worth Rs 1.2 lakh crore over the five-year period.
Panagariya had a meeting with Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, members of his cabinet, and senior government officials earlier in the day.
Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission (FC) while addressing a press conference informed that the state government also wanted an increase from the divisible poll from the current 41 per cent to 50 per cent.
He however said that the finance commission in the past has never taken a very large jump.
According to him, the jump from 41 per cent to 50 per cent is a huge jump.
Panagariya said that generally, the commission has ensured that it should not disturb the status quo since it disturbs the budget of all the states.
“Even those who benefits cannot absorb it fast enough,” he added.
A team from the 16th Finance Commission, led by its chairman, arrived in the city on September 28.