The Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday released Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the fifth equated monthly instalment of the post devolution revenue deficit grant.
The Centre released advance payments of over Rs 631 crore to Assam, Rs 1,276 crore to Kerala, Rs 952 crore to Himachal Pradesh and over Rs 638 crore to Punjab.
Andhra Pradesh got Rs 491 crore, Uttarakhand Rs 423 crore and West Bengal got Rs 417 crore respectively.
“This would provide them additional resources during the Corona crisis,” a Finance Ministry statement said.
The grant was recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, and the Centre has issued equal instalments of the grant to states since April.
The grant will help state governments take preventive and mitigation measures for containment of Covid19, including setting up quarantine facilities, sample collection and screening and setting up additional testing laboratories.
Officials said cash-strapped states can also use the funds to cover the cost of consumables and purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare, municipal, police and fire authorities besides purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators and air purifiers.