The attention of Finance Department has been drawn to news being circulated in the social media of the amount of Rs. 32641.66 lakhs released by the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India on 3rd March 2020, and comments about how funds are being used to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department has clarified that the mentioned amount is the Revenue Deficit Grant recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission to be released to the State of Nagaland every month during the year 2020-21. This amount is meant to cover the shortfall in the revenue expenditure requirements of the State Government such as salaries, pensions, interest payments and other recurring expenses. There is no possibility of using this amount for COVID-19 expenses as is being alleged.

(DIPR)