Manoj Panda named as a new finance commission member

Current Context: The government has appointed economist Manoj Panda as a member of the 16th Finance Commission. The appointment of Panda came after Artha Global Executive Director Niranjan Rajadhyaksha expressed his inability to join the Commission.

• The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya, has four members.
• The other members of the 16th Finance Commission are:
• Ajay Narayan Jha - former secretary of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance
• Annie George Mathew - former special secretary of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance
• Soumya Kanti Ghosh - former group chief economic advisor of the State Bank of India.
• The appointment of Manoj Panda means that the finance commission is now at full strength and can begin its work in earnest.
• This includes deliberations with economists and experts as well as visits to states and discussions with local and municipal bodies to get a comprehensive picture of their financial issues.
• The member would hold office from the date of assuming charge up to the date of submission of Report or till October 31, 2025, whichever is earlier.

Question:

Q.1 Who has been appointed as a member of the 16th Finance Commission?
a. Niranjan Rajadhyaksha
b. Arvind Panagariya
c. Manoj Panda
d. Ajay Narayan Jha