VARANASI, June 6 -- A 15-member team of the 16th Central Finance Commission (CFC), led by its chairman Dr Arvind Panagariya, visited Varanasi on Thursday. The team met with weavers, visited Amrit Sarovar, toured Rasoolpur village, observed handloom weaving and interacted with artisans after offering prayers at Baba Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. At Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, divisional commissioner S Rajalingam, police commissioner Mohit Agarwal and district magistrate Satyendra Kumar welcomed the Commission members. Following their arrival, the team visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, where they worshipped Baba Shri Kashi Vishwanath and received detailed information about the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. The CFC members, including the chairman, distributed essentials to elderly residents at Mumukshu Bhawan in the temple corridor. They later visited the Banarasi Silk Center in Panaya, an ODOP (One District One Product) center located at Chowkghat, where they received in-depth knowledge about the process of making Banarasi sarees. During the visit, the team closely observed Banarasi sarees, stools, carpets, and other items being woven on handlooms at the Panaya premises. They spoke with artisans and examined various silk garments, including Banarasi sarees and ladies' suits. The members were particularly impressed by the intricate zari work being crafted by hand. They were also shown zari work on Banarasi sarees that had been handwoven 250 years ago. On the suggestion of the Chairman and other Commission members, the manager of the Banarasi Silk Center informed them that a museum is being developed in Varanasi to display these ancient garments for preservation and public viewing. The Commission also visited Rasoolpur village in the Pindra development block and conducted a field inspection of various developmental works. During their visit, they viewed the Amrit Sarovar and the Gram Sachivalaya. Inside the Gram Sachivalaya auditorium, members interacted with the village head and local residents to learn about development projects funded by the CFC. They discussed key issues such as solid waste management, garbage disposal, and plastic waste management. District magistrate provided detailed information on the importance of Amrit Sarovars in rural development....