Dimapur, June 18 (MExN): The Union Finance Ministry on Wednesday released an amount of Rs 31.25 crore for Nagaland as the first instalment for the rural bodies to revive economic activities. The amount was part of Rs 15,187 crore released to 28 states as grants to those bodies in an effort to help them amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, @FinMinIndia today (Wednesday) released Rs 15,187.50 crore to 28 states as the 1st instalment of Rural Local Bodies Basic (Untied) Grants for 2020-21,” the Office of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted on June 17.
This amount would enable the rural local bodies to fight the coronavirus pandemic and restart economic activities, it added.
"The states (state finance department) shall transfer grants-in-aid within 10 working days of receipt from the Union government. Any delay beyond 10 working days will require state governments to release the same with interest," PTI News agency reported quoting the Department of Expenditure under the Finance Ministry.
The basic grants can be used by the local bodies for location-specific felt needs, except for salary or other establishment expenditure, it added.
