Fifth finance commission soon, Andhra Pradesh HC told

VIJAYAWADA: The state government on Thursday informed the high court that the fifth finance commission would be constituted very soon.
Special government pleader Shreyas Reddy told the court that the file has already been sent to the governor for approval and the process of constituting the finance commission will be done at the earliest as soon as the government receives the file from the governor.
TDP official spokesperson GV Reddy had filed a PIL challenging the inaction of the state government in appointing the fifth finance commission even after the expiry of the tenure of the fourth finance commission.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, PVG Umesh Chandra told the high court that the state government earlier submitted that the fifth finance commission will be constituted within three months. Even after the completion of three months, the commission has not been constituted yet.
Considering the submissions of government, the bench headed by Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice D V S S Somayajulu observed that as the file is already with governor, there is no need of further directions at this stage. Granting four weeks to the government, the court posted the matter for further hearing to Feb.20.