Chairman 6th Himachal Pradesh State Finance Commission, Satpal Singh Satti presided over 3rd meeting of commission held here today. Satpal Singh Satti said that the term of the 6th State Finance Commission was till 31st December, 2021 and it has been decided in the meeting to recommend to the State Government to extend its term upto 31st October, 2022. Satpal Singh Satti revealed that in the second meeting of the Commission held on 26th March, 2021 it was decided that the suggestion/comments on questionnaires regarding income, expenditure etc. of local bodies may be shared by Panchayati Raj and Urban Development Department so that these could be sent to local bodies for collecting information. After incorporating suggestions of these departments, questionnaires were made ready by the end of April, 2021 for mailing to local bodies. He said that the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic had deeply affected all the States and UTs and Himachal Pradesh was no exception. In the first week of May, 2021 lockdown was imposed in the State and all offices had scanty presence. The work in the office resumed with full capacity of staff in June, 2021. Thereafter, all questionnaires to local bodies were sent by the end of June, 2021. He said that the efforts were being made to obtain information from local bodies, but till now commission was able to collect information from about 20 percent local bodies. The supply of filled up questionnaires from local bodies was also affected by the by-elections in the month of October-November, 2021 as most of the staff of field offices was engaged in election duties. He said that after considering all these facts, it has been decided to recommend to the state government to extend the term of the commission upto October, 2022. Earlier, Dr. Basu Sood, Member Secretary (SFC)-cum-Adviser (Planning), H.P. welcomed the Chairman.
