Finance Ministry releases Rs 6,195 crore to 14 states

The government released Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the second equated monthly installment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant on Monday.
"This would provide them additional resources during the Corona crisis," the finance ministry said in a statement Monday.

The grant was recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, and an equal first installment of the grant was issued by the Centre to states on March 14.

On Monday, the Centre released advance payments of over Rs 1,276 crore to Kerala, followed by over Rs 952 crore to Himachal Pradesh and over Rs 638 crore to Punjab. Assam received Rs 631 crore, Andhra Pradesh Rs 491 crore, Uttarakhand Rs 423 crore, and West Bengal got Rs 417 crore.

The grant will help state governments take preventive and mitigation measures for containment of the coronavirus, including setting up quarantine facilities, sample collection and screening and setting up additional testing laboratories.

Cash-strapped states can also use the funds to cover cost of consumables, and purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare, municipal, police and fire authorities, besides purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers, and consumables for govt hospitals.