Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday expressed his gratitude towards the 14th Finance Commission for good overall award to all the States and especially for making an increase of 163 per cent for Himachal Pradesh.
He said the share of Central taxes to the States had now gone up from 32 to 42 per cent. The award of previous commission had allocations under seven specifically targeted purposes besides the usual four components of share in Central taxes, revenue deficit grant, local bodies grant and calamity relief. The commission has devolved only on the last four components.
Singh said for Himachal Pradesh, the award of 14th Finance Commission shows an impressive increase of 232 per cent over the devolutions of the previous award of 13th Finance Commission. This increase of 232 per cent was 69 per cent higher than the average increase of 163 per cent in award amount.