September 29th, 2008 – 11:19 pm ICT by IANS –
Ranchi, Sep 29 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren Monday demanded an increased share of mineral royalty from the 13th Finance Commission.”Jharkhand should get an increased share of mineral royalty through an improved royalty regime based on market value,” Soren said while addressing a meeting with the members of the 13th Finance Commission.
“Jharkhand should get a special package as the second Finance Commission had granted the same to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,” he added.
Soren also demanded that the central government bear 50 percent of the burden of the Sixth Pay Commission in the state. Jharkhand has already said it will implement the recommendations of pay commission.
He also asked the central government to pay back Rs.20 billion the state has spent on laying railway lines.
Speaking on the occasion, Finance Commission chairman Vijay Kelkar said: “The state government should focus on enhancing its financial discipline framework through better public expenditure management, improved financial reporting and audit response initiatives.”
The commission members will stay in Ranchi two more days and take a look at the demands of the state government.
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