With the release of 2nd installment, a total amount of Rs 19,742 crore has been released in the first two months of the current financial year as PDRD grant to the states….reports Asian Lite News
The Union Finance Ministry on Thursday released the 2nd monthly installment of Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) Grant of Rs 9,871 crore for the year 2021-22 to 17 states.
With the release of 2nd installment, a total amount of Rs 19,742 crore has been released in the first two months of the current financial year as PDRD grant to the states.
The Centre provides the grant to the states under Article 275 of the Constitution. The grants are released as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission in monthly installments to meet the gap in revenue accounts of the states post devolution. The 15th Finance Commission has recommended PDRD grants to 17 states.
These states are: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
The eligibility of states to receive this grant and the quantum of grant was decided by the Commission based on the gap between assessment of revenue and expenditure of the State.Assessed devolution for the financial year 2021-22 was also taken into account by the Commission.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended a total grant of Rs 1,18,452 crore to 17 States in the financial year 2021-22. The grant is released in 12 monthly installments.
Meanwhile, In order to facilitate quick clearance of imports of COVID-19 related equipment or medicaments, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has assigned nodal officers in each zone to handle such cases.
The officers will not only handle queries but would also ensure that items and raw material
Imported for Covid 19 mitigation does not get stuck up at customs ports and the onward movement of such critical equipment is delayed.
A separate help desk to facilitate such movement has already been put in place by CBIC.
To help importers, the CBIC dash board gives details of each officer along with their mobile numbers and email IDs. The details of nodal officer from CBIC Board office has also been provided.
Government is taking all steps to prevent red tape from hampering Covid relief measures at a time when the pandemic is showing its most devastating face.