The Centre has written to the states promising to clear their GST dues despite the massive shortfall in GST cess collection amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Union Finance Secretary and the Expenditure Secretary will hold an online meeting with the states on September 1 to answer questions on the two options proposed by the Centre for compensation. The first option is states won't have to service debt or repay it from other sources, and the second being states won't have to repay the principal amount from any other sources. As per the Centre's calculation, the total GST shortfall is estimated at ₹2.35 lakh crore.