New Delhi, The central government here on Thursday asked states to ensure smooth disbursal of Rs 27,500 crore financial package under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKY). The disbursal will begin on Friday.

In a letter to the Chief Secretaries of states and Union Territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla asked them also to submit an action-taken report. "They shall take necessary measures to ensure smooth disbursal of money to the PM-GKY beneficiaries," the letter read.

On Wednesday, Bhalla had said disbursement of money under the PM-GKY would be held in five phases through the direct benefit transfer (DBT). It would start on Friday and conclude on April 9.

The DBT will take place as per the last digit of the bank account number of the beneficiary. An SMS will be sent to those whose mobile numbers have been seeded in the account.

The SMSs will also indicate the day on which the beneficiary has to come to bank for money withdrawal.

Bhalla on Monday had directed states and UTs to ensure functioning of all bank branches, cash management and ATMs during the lockdown.