GUWAHATI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will soon hold a meeting with state finance ministers to discuss the financial situation in their respective states in the wake of the nation-wide lockdown, Assam finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed here on Monday.
“Yesterday morning, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman called me to assure that the central government this period of crisis will stand by state government. Soon a meeting of state finance ministers will be called through video conference and she will discuss the fiscal situation arising due to COVID with all state finance ministers threadbare,” Sarma told reporters.
“She said that even at the cost of borrowing, the Centre will try to fulfill obligations towards to all states,” he said.
The state finance minister also said that in spite of financial hardships, “my utmost effort would be to keep all budgetary commitments intact. Let us overcome the first quarter and then we will see.”
He however said that meeting the financial requirements of the state would be difficult in the months of May and June as it was uncertain when the treasury would be opened.
“We will need massive infusion of funds from outside the state’s predictable resources in June otherwise we will have to go the extra mile without burdening the common people who as it is are facing hardships. I will announce certain economic measures on April 25 or 26,” Sarma said.
