States can use 50% of disaster relief fund: Modi tells chief ministers

Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab account for 63 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in the country

States can now use 50% of their disaster relief funds to manage the coronavirus—the cap of 35% cap is removed, , said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with seven chief ministers administering states most affected in the coronavirus pandemic.

"We need to increase our focus on effective testing, tracing, treatment, surveillance and clear messaging,” he said in the video meeting.

“Today, I announce that the states can spend 50 per cent of the SDRF amount on efforts to check the spread of Covid-19. This limit was earlier 35 per cent,” Modi said, referring to the state disaster