NEW DELHI, Nov. 5 -- The Union government on Thursday released Rs.1.09 trillion to states as their share of central taxes, advancing the monthly transfer by five days to help them meet festival season spending requirements and accelerate capital expenditure, the finance ministry said in a statement.

The transfer follows another release of the same amount on 31 October, over and above the regular monthly devolution. The 31 October payment was the second additional instalment in the current financial year, following an identical release on 1 August. The additional transfers are aimed at strengthening state finances, enabling governments to accelerate capital expenditure and fund development and welfare-related spending, the finance ministr...