AC creates CSF, GRF for meeting liquidity challenges

JAMMU, JANUARY 21: To meet the fiscal challenges and liquidity constraints, Administrative Council which met here under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha approved constitution of  the Consolidated Sinking Fund (CSF) and the Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) for meeting contingent liabilities of the Government with an initial corpus of Rs. 30.00 Crores for each Fund.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG attended the meeting.

Consolidated Sinking Fund (CSF) is a reserve fund set aside by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The provision for this fund is made in Article 266 (1) of the Indian Constitution. Consolidated Sinking fund is to aid States/ UTs wherein the Government has problems handling their finances, including debt. CSF promotes economic restructuring in States/UTs, especially those with chronic remuneration obligations.

A Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) is established in the Public Account of India for redemption of guarantees given to PSEs, financial institutions, etc. by States/UT Govts, whenever such guarantees are invoked.

When the borrowing organizations fail to service their debt burden covered under State Government Guarantee, the lending Banks/ Financial Institutions invoke the State Govt. Guarantee. This becomes liability of the State Government. The Guarantee Redemption Fund  shall be utilized for meeting the payment obligations arising out of the guarantees issued by the UT Government in respect of bonds issued and other  borrowings by the UT level undertakings or other  bodies/ institutions.