Odisha CM Launches Official Website of State Finance Commission to Promote Transparency and Public Participation

Bhubaneswar : In a significant step towards fostering transparency and inclusive governance, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the official website of the Odisha State Finance Commission. The platform aims to engage citizens and stakeholders in the state’s fiscal planning process by inviting suggestions and feedback from a wide spectrum of contributors.

The website has been developed as an interactive medium to receive insights from elected representatives, Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishads, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Notified Area Councils, academia, research institutions, civil society organizations, and individual citizens. It will also host important documents such as study reports and recommendations from previous and current Finance Commissions for public access.

The launch took place during a meeting between the Sixth State Finance Commission and the Chief Minister. The Commission, led by Chairman Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, sought the CM’s guidance on strategies for strengthening local governance and empowering grassroots institutions in Odisha.

Among those present at the event were Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary of Finance Saswata Mishra, Principal Secretary of Electronics & Information Technology Vishal Kumar Dev, and Commission Members Prof. Asit Ranjan Mohanty, Prof. Amaresh Samantaraya, Dr. Bibhu Prasad Nayak, and Member Secretary Dr. Satya Priya Rath.

The Sixth State Finance Commission was constituted by the Governor of Odisha under Articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution of India. The Commission is tasked with recommending the devolution of state resources to local bodies — including Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishads, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified Area Councils — for a five-year period beginning April 1, 2026.

The newly launched website is expected to play a vital role in ensuring fiscal accountability, encouraging stakeholder participation, and shaping policies that are responsive to the needs of Odisha’s diverse communities.