Jharkhand Seeks Rs.3.03 Lakh Crore from 16th Finance Commission for Inclusive Development

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has put forward a proposal seeking ?3.03 lakh crore in grants from the 16th Finance Commission to fast-track the state’s integrated and inclusive development.

On Friday, a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and administrative representatives presented a detailed roadmap to the visiting Finance Commission team, laying out a comprehensive vision for development across various key sectors.

The Finance Commission, headed by Chairman Arvind Panagariya, is on a four-day visit to the state to assess ground realities and development needs.

During the interaction, the Jharkhand government highlighted that despite the state’s wealth of mineral and natural resources, it has not been adequately compensated through central grants—especially considering the extensive use of its resources for national development.

Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, along with Higher Education, Urban Development & Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Water Resources Minister Yogendra Prasad, and senior bureaucrats, emphasized the need for special financial assistance to bridge developmental gaps and bring Jharkhand at par with more advanced states.

As part of its proposal, the state has sought ?2.01 lakh crore for infrastructure development, covering crucial areas such as roads, bridges, rural and urban development, transport, energy, industry, and tourism.

In addition, the state has requested:

• Rs.44,447 crore for the social sector
• Rs.41,388 crore for agriculture, forests, and water resources
• Rs.17,918 crore for home affairs, Panchayati Raj, land reforms, and revenue administration

Following the meeting, Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu noted that the Commission took detailed feedback regarding Jharkhand’s challenges and development priorities. “Their response to our demands seemed constructive,” he remarked.

Water Resources Minister Yogendra Prasad added, “We have presented a well-documented report on the state’s unique challenges and our aspirations. We are hopeful that the Commission will respond fairly to our requirements.”

He concluded, “We are confident that the support we’ve requested will align with our broader vision for holistic development across all sectors of the state.”

With inputs from IANS