New Delhi, June 7: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will release the Report of the Committee on Datasets for State Finance Commissions on June 8, 2026, in New Delhi. The report aims to strengthen the data ecosystem supporting fiscal decentralisation and local governance across India.
The report will be released by V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, in the presence of Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Manish Gupta. Senior government officials, researchers and policy experts are also expected to attend the event.
Following the release, the Chief Economic Adviser will deliver a keynote address on the importance of data-driven policymaking and evidence-based fiscal governance in strengthening local self-government and promoting inclusive development.
Strengthening Fiscal Decentralisation
The report represents a significant step in the Government of India’s efforts to improve the evidence base for fiscal decentralisation. State Finance Commissions, constituted under Article 243-I of the Constitution, are responsible for reviewing the financial position of Panchayati Raj Institutions and recommending principles for the devolution of financial resources to local bodies.
To perform these functions effectively, State Finance Commissions require reliable and timely data on local government finances, demographics, infrastructure, service delivery and public assets.
The committee was constituted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj following concerns raised during the Finance Commissions’ Conclave on Devolution to Development. Participants at the conclave highlighted difficulties in accessing comprehensive datasets across departments and agencies, which often affected the quality and timeliness of recommendations made by State Finance Commissions.
Key Recommendations
The report provides a comprehensive mapping of datasets required by State Finance Commissions and offers recommendations to improve:
- Data availability
- Standardisation of datasets
- Interoperability across departments
- Institutional capacity for data management
- Access to local government finance information
The recommendations are expected to help State Governments, State Finance Commissions, researchers and policymakers strengthen fiscal analysis and improve governance at the grassroots level.
Supporting Local Governance
The Ministry believes the report will serve as an important reference document for enhancing transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making in local governance.
It is also expected to support broader efforts aimed at deepening democratic decentralisation and improving public finance management in Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country.
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