Dimapur, June 19 (EMN): The Union Ministry of Finance, on June 17, released INR 15,177 crore to 27 states, including Nagaland, as grants to rural local bodies to help them restart economic activity.
According to the ministry, the fund is the first instalment of rural local bodies (RLB) grant for the year 2020-21 as per the recommendation of the 15th finance commission.
"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," the department of Expenditure under the Finance ministry said.
The basic grants can be used by the local bodies for location-specific felt needs, except for salary or other establishment expenditure, it added.
Under this grant, Nagaland received INR 31.25 crore, while the shares of other neighbouring states from the Northeast are: Arunachal Pradesh – INR 57.75; Assam – INR 401; Manipur – INR 44.25; Meghalaya – INR 45.50; Mizoram – INR 23.25; and Tripura – INR 47.75.
The lion’s share went to Uttar Pradesh, with INR 2438 crore.
