Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to aiding states through timely tax devolution and GST compensation arrears during a pre-budget meeting with state finance ministers. She encouraged states to utilize the Centre’s 50-year interest-free loan scheme for specified reforms. Sitharaman highlighted the ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment,’ noting that most loans are untied, though some are linked to citizen-centric reforms and sector-specific projects. States praised the scheme and offered suggestions for its enhancement.