New Delhi: The Centre on Friday released a total amount of Rs 17,287.08 crore to different states to support their financial resources.
The amount includes Rs 11,092 crore as advance payment of the first instalment of central government’s share in State Disaster Response Mitigation Fund to states, according to a government notification.
Kerala will be allotted Rs 1277 crore. 157 crores was also allotted to the State Disaster Relief Fund as the first installment of the new financial year.
In order to resolve revenue deficit of the state the fifteenth Finance Commission had recommended Rs 15,323 crore. Revenue deficit was estimated at Rs 31,939 crore for Kerala.
“With a view to make available additional funds to the State Governments for taking preventive and mitigation measures for containment of covid-19, the Centre has already made a special dispensation for utilization of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF),” the ministry said, adding that the fund was allowed to be “utilized for setting up quarantine facilities, sample collection and screening; setting up additional testing laboratories, cost of consumables; purchase of personal protection equipments for healthcare, municipal, police and fire authorities; purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers, and consumables for government hospitals.”
