Bhubaneswar: The 16th Finance Commission conducted sectoral meetings in Odisha, engaging with leaders from various political parties, trade and industry bodies, and local governance representatives.
Prominent political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), participated in discussions with the Commission.
In addition to political consultations, the Commission interacted with key stakeholders from trade and industry organizations such as the Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd (UCCIL), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Odisha Industries Association, Odisha Assembly of Small & Medium Enterprises, Keisha Small Scale Industries Association, Odisha Byabasai Mahasangha, Odisha Young Entrepreneurs Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Odisha Investors Forum (OIF), All India Exporters & Buyers Association (AIEBA), Seafood Exporters Association, and the Utkal Plastic Manufacturers Association (UPMA).
Local governance representatives, including mayors, chairpersons, sarpanches, and Zilla Parishad presidents, representatives from urban and rural bodies, also participated in the discussions.
Senior government officials present at the meetings included Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of Finance Saswata Mishra, Principal Secretary of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water S.N. Girish, and Principal Secretary Usha Padhee.
The sectoral meetings aimed to gather insights on Odisha’s financial landscape, economic growth strategies, and sector-specific challenges to aid in the formulation of recommendations for the 16th Finance Commission.
