This Article is From Aug 11, 2020

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Asks Centre To Increase Relief Package Funds

Tamil Nadu received Rs 512.64 crore from Centre in 2 tranches under Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness package out of Rs 712.64 crore allotted to the state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Asks Centre To Increase Relief Package Funds

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at a video conference meeting with PM Modi.

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu has received Rs 512.64 crore from Centre in 2 tranches under Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness package out of Rs 712.64 crore allotted to the state, said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

"We have received Rs 512.64 crore from Centre in 2 tranches under Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness package out of Rs 712.64 crore allotted to the state. I request this package may be stepped up to Rs 3,000 crore as my earlier request," said Mr Palaniswami at a video conference meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"To make up for the shortfall, Tamil Nadu may be allocated Rs 9,000 crore special grant to combat COVID-19 and its after-effects on the state's economy. The GST compensation for April-June, 2020 may be released early," he added.

The Central government had in April announced investments to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore for "India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package."

The funds sanctioned will be utilised for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response (amount of Rs 7,774 crores) and rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach, the centre had said.

The Chief Minister said that he has requested an ad-hoc grant of Rs 1,000 crore from NDRF immediately to fight the pandemic.

"As we have already fully exhausted State Disaster Response and Mitigation Fund, I also request an ad-hoc grant of Rs 1,000 crore from NDRF immediately to fight the pandemic. Releasing pending CMR subsidy of Rs 1,321 crore at this time will facilitate paddy procurement," he said.

PM Modi held a video conference with Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, to discuss corona related situation.

Tamil Nadu, the second-worst affected state by the pandemic, recorded 5,914 new cases and 114 deaths on Monday. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 3,02,815 including 53,009 active cases, 2,44,675 discharged patients and 5,041 deaths.

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