The Fifth State Finance Commission held a regional meeting with district officials and local body leaders here on Tuesday.
Its Chairman S.Krishnan, who inaugurated the meeting, said the commission was constituted to review the financial position of rural and urban local bodies and recommend principles for distribution of taxes between the State government and local bodies.
It would also recommend measures improve the financial position of local bodies and suggest new avenues for tapping resources. Based on recommendations of the commission, the devolution of State revenue to local bodies has increased from eight to 10 per cent.
Officials and leaders of local bodies from nine districts Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Nagapattinam, Villupuram, Tiruvarur and Cuddalore districts attended the meeting.
Apart from Collectors, Mayors of Tiruchi and Thanjavur Corporations, district panchayat, panchayat union and municipal chairpersons, town panchayat and village panchayat presidents put forth their views. The commission, in a separate session, heard the views of non governmental organisations and industry representatives, a press release said.
Prashant M Wadnere, member secretary of the commission, and K.Baskaran, member, State Finance Commission, and Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, participated.
