more-in Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Thursday said the Union Ministry of Finance has expedited the allocation of funds to the Union Territory. Mr. Narayanasamy, who returned after visiting Delhi, told The Hindu that he was confident of getting adequate funds to provide drought relief and arrears of Seventh Pay Commission. The Chief Minister said he had a fruitful discussion with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on non-Plan gap fund, financial assistance for providing relief to farmers, and arrears to government employees. Pay arrears The territorial administration would need around ?400 crore to disburse arrears to employees as per the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations. The administration would not be able meet its commitments without assistance from the Union Government, he said. The Chief Minister said he had sought a financial assistance of ?100 crore as drought relief. “I am confident of getting the assistance very soon,” he said. The Chief Minister paid a courtesy call to President Pranab Mukherjee.

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