Budget won't be a constraint in vaccination programme: Expenditure Secy

Managing the sequencing of expenditure is not an easy job, but we will do it, we are ready, says T V Somanathan

Expenditure Secretary T V SOMANATHAN tells Dilasha Seth and Indivjal Dhasmana that the Centre borrowing on behalf of states for the compensation gap caused by the goods and services tax (GST) has always been one of the propositions. He touches on various issues such as funds for universal vaccination programme, Stimulus 2.0, and capital expenditure (capex). Edited excerpts:

What changed three days after the GST Council meeting that made the Centre agree to borrow and lend to states?

Nothing has changed. The original paper distributed said that a special window would be arranged by the Centre in consultation with the