Bhubaneswar: The Sixteenth Finance Commission, led by Chairman Arvind Panagariya, visited the pilgrim town of Puri on Wednesday and offered prayers at Shree Jagannath Temple.
The visit was part of the Commission’s four-day tour of Odisha, aimed at engaging with state officials and assessing financial requirements for the upcoming fiscal period.
Upon arriving in Puri, the delegation paid homage to Lord Jagannath and siblings before holding a key meeting with Puri Municipality functionaries at Puri Raj Bhavan. The discussions focused on financial allocations, urban infrastructure development, and strategies to enhance civic amenities in the historic temple city, an official release said.
During the meeting, municipal officials highlighted pressing urban challenges, including sanitation, drainage, waste management, street lighting, and the need for improved infrastructure to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims visiting Puri.
Panagariya acknowledged the city’s unique needs and assured that the Finance Commission would consider these concerns in its recommendations. He emphasized the importance of efficient financial planning and resource allocation to ensure holistic urban development while preserving Puri’s rich heritage.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Blue Flag certified sea beach. In the evening, the team proceeded to the Sun Temple in Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
Odisha Finance Department Principal Secretary Saswata Mishra, Municipal Administration Director Arindam Dakua, Puri Collector Sidharth Sankar Swain, Puri SP Vinit Agrawal, and Commission members Annie George Mathew, Ajay Narayan Jha, and Dr. Manoj Panda were part of the visit
