Bhubaneswar, February 5: The Sixteenth Finance Commission, led by Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya, visited the sacred city of Puri today as part of a four-day tour of Odisha. The delegation's visit aimed to engage with state officials and assess financial requirements for the upcoming fiscal period.
Upon arrival, the Commission members offered prayers at the renowned Shree Jagannath Temple. They then convened for a meeting with the Puri Municipality officials at Puri Raj Bhavan. The discussions revolved around urban infrastructure development, financial allocations, and ways to improve civic amenities in the historic city.
Municipal representatives brought up key challenges, such as issues related to sanitation, drainage, waste management, street lighting, and the need for enhanced infrastructure to accommodate the growing influx of pilgrims visiting Puri. Chairman Dr. Panagariya acknowledged the city's unique needs and assured that the Finance Commission would take these concerns into account while making its recommendations. He emphasized the significance of sound financial planning and resource allocation to support both urban development and the preservation of Puri's cultural heritage.
The delegation later visited the Blue Flag Sea Beach and concluded their day by heading to the Sun Temple in Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to further appreciate Odisha's rich cultural heritage
The visit was attended by Odisha's Finance Department Principal Secretary Saswata Mishra, Municipal Administration Director Arindam Dakua, Puri Collector Sidharth Sankar Swain, Puri SP Vinit Agrawal, and Finance Commission members Annie George Mathew, Ajay Narayan Jha, and Dr. Manoj Panda.
