The Union cabinet has recommended setting up of the 16th Finance Commission to decide on sharing of taxes between the Centre and the states, setting off speculation on the chairman and members of the Constitutionally mandated panel, whose award would be effective for five years, starting April 2026. The panel, which will be constituted by the President over the next few days, is proposed to be given a simple mandate, instead of expanding it to include issues, such as, GST or ease of doing business, as was the case in the past.